Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 9
विभूतिविस्तरप्रश्नः / Inquiry into the Expansion of Śiva’s Vibhūti
ऋषय ऊचुः । उक्तं भगवता वृत्तमुपमन्योर्महात्मनः । क्षीरार्थेनापि तपसा यत्प्राप्तं परमेश्वरात्
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | uktaṃ bhagavatā vṛttamupamanyormahātmanaḥ | kṣīrārthenāpi tapasā yatprāptaṃ parameśvarāt
诸仙说道：“尊者啊，你已宣说大心者优波摩纽（Upamanyu）的圣事：他即便为求乳而修苦行，亦从至上主宰帕拉梅湿伐罗（即湿婆）处得到了无上恩赐。”
The sages of Naimiṣāraṇya (addressing Sūta Gosvāmin)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: This verse recalls the Upamanyu episode as a paradigm: tapas (even when motivated by a limited desire) becomes a doorway to Parameśvara’s grace and higher attainment.
Significance: Encourages devotees that sincere sādhana can be elevated by Śiva’s anugraha into para-jñāna; promotes faith in the Lord as giver of boons and liberation.
FAQs
It highlights that sincere tapas, even begun with a small worldly aim, becomes spiritually fruitful when it turns toward Parameśvara; Śiva’s grace elevates the devotee from limited desire to higher attainment.
By praising the boon received from Parameśvara, the sages underline Śiva as the gracious Lord approachable through devotion and disciplined practice—key themes of Saguna Śiva worship that culminate in His bestowal of grace.
The verse points to tapas (austerity and disciplined sādhanā) as the core practice—steadfast devotion, restraint, and prayer directed to Śiva as Parameśvara, seeking His grace rather than mere material gain.