Shloka 17
Harīśvara-liṅga Mahimā and the Origin-Context of Viṣṇu’s Sudarśana (हरिश्वरलिङ्गमहिमा तथा सुदर्शनप्राप्तिकथा)
विचार्यैवं स्वमनसि सेवनं बहुधा कृतम् । तथापि न हरस्तुष्टो बभूवोतिकरः प्रभुः
vicāryaivaṃ svamanasi sevanaṃ bahudhā kṛtam | tathāpi na harastuṣṭo babhūvotikaraḥ prabhuḥ
هكذا تأمّل في نفسه، فأدّى ضروبًا كثيرة من الخدمة والعبادة؛ ومع ذلك لم يرضَ الرب هرا (شيفا)، وصار الربّ السيّد شديد الصرامة للغاية.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: Despite varied sevā (bahudhā-sevana), Śiva remains unpleased—an illustration that multiplicity of external rites without the ripening condition (adhikāra) may not immediately yield prasāda; concealment persists until maturity.
Significance: Encourages sincerity and inner transformation over mere ritual variety; underscores perseverance when grace seems delayed.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that repeated acts of worship (sevana) alone do not compel Śiva; the Lord responds to inner sincerity, humility, and purity of intention, not merely to quantity or variety of practices.
Linga-worship is a Saguna support for devotion, but this verse cautions that outward offerings without inner alignment (bhāva) may not please Hara; true Linga-sevā must be joined with devotion, self-restraint, and surrender to the Lord as Pati.
Emphasize bhāva-śuddhi alongside practice: japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with repentance and humility, and disciplined worship (e.g., Tripuṇḍra/bhasma and Rudrākṣa) performed without pride, as service to Śiva.