Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 23
शिवतत्त्ववर्णनम् (Śiva-tattva-varṇana) — “Description/Exposition of the Principle of Śiva”
विष्णुरुवाच । यदि प्रीतिः समुत्पन्ना यदि देयो वरश्च नौ । भक्तिर्भवतु नौ नित्यं त्वयि चाव्यभिचारिणी
viṣṇuruvāca | yadi prītiḥ samutpannā yadi deyo varaśca nau | bhaktirbhavatu nau nityaṃ tvayi cāvyabhicāriṇī
Viṣṇu thưa rằng: “Nếu lòng mến kính đã thật sự khởi lên, và nếu một ân phúc sẽ được ban cho chúng ta, thì xin cho lòng bhakti của chúng ta đối với Ngài được vĩnh hằng—và xin cho nó kiên định, không hề lìa xa Ngài.”
Lord Vishnu
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga legend; it is a paradigmatic boon-request where even Viṣṇu seeks the highest gift: avyabhicāriṇī bhakti to Śiva—mirroring many shrine narratives where the ‘best boon’ is devotion itself.
Significance: Teaches that the supreme ‘phala’ is steadfast bhakti leading to Śiva’s anugraha; for pilgrims, it reframes temple-going from transactional boons to unwavering devotion and liberation-oriented surrender.
Mantra: भक्तिर्भवतु नौ नित्यं त्वयि चाव्यभिचारिणी
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
Cosmic Event: Boon-request within the primordial divine assembly following Śiva’s instruction and delegation.
FAQs
The verse elevates bhakti itself as the highest boon: not temporary favors, but steadfast, lifelong devotion to Pati (Shiva), which in Shaiva Siddhanta becomes a direct means toward Shiva’s grace and liberation.
“Unwavering devotion” is practically expressed through consistent Saguna upasana—regular Linga worship, mantra-japa, and reverent service—so the mind does not “deviate” from Shiva as the chosen refuge and Lord.
A clear takeaway is nitya-bhakti: daily Shiva-smaraṇa with mantra-japa (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), supported by simple Linga-puja; the emphasis is constancy rather than occasional intensity.