Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 171
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
ततस्तुष्टो महादेव: सर्वलोके श्वरः: प्रभु: । एकभक्त इतितकज्ञात्वा जिज्ञासां कुरुते तदा,तदनन्तर सम्पूर्ण लोकोंके स्वामी भगवान् महादेव मुझे अपना अनन्यभक्त जानकर संतुष्ट हुए और मेरी परीक्षा लेने लगे
tatas tuṣṭo mahādevaḥ sarvalokeśvaraḥ prabhuḥ | ekabhakta iti tat jñātvā jijñāsāṃ kurute tadā ||
随后，大天摩诃提婆——统御诸世界的至尊主宰——心生欢喜。知我为一心归依的虔信者，他便开始试炼我，欲考察我信奉之深与其坚固不移。
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
True devotion is not merely declared but demonstrated through steadiness under examination; divine favor may be followed by a test that reveals the devotee’s sincerity, humility, and unwavering commitment to dharma.
Vāsudeva narrates that Mahādeva (Śiva), pleased with him and recognizing him as an exclusive devotee, proceeds to test him—initiating an inquiry or trial to gauge the depth of his devotion.