Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 33
Anasūyā–Atri Tapas-Varṇana
Description of Anasūyā and Atri’s Austerities
यदैताभ्यां परप्रीत्या क्रियते सुतपः पुनः । एतादृशं शुभं चैतत्तपो दुष्करमुत्तमम्
yadaitābhyāṃ paraprītyā kriyate sutapaḥ punaḥ | etādṛśaṃ śubhaṃ caitattapo duṣkaramuttamam
当借由这两种途径，以至上的虔敬再次修行如此高贵的苦行时，它便真正成为吉祥——一种最上等、极难成就的塔帕斯。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Tatpuruṣa
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that tapas becomes truly auspicious and spiritually potent only when it is infused with paraprīti—supreme devotion directed to Lord Shiva (Pati). In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, effort (tapas) is elevated when aligned to Shiva’s grace-oriented devotion rather than mere self-will.
Kotirudra Saṃhitā emphasizes Shiva’s accessible Saguna forms—especially through Jyotirlinga devotion. This verse supports the idea that disciplined practice and pilgrimage-like observances bear the highest fruit when performed as loving worship of Shiva, not as dry asceticism.
The takeaway is to perform any vrata or austerity as Shiva-bhakti: steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), worship of the Linga, and disciplined observances (such as Mahāśivarātri vrata) with sincere devotion—since such tapas is called “uttama” and “duṣkara.”