Shloka 13
Adhyāya 352: Brāhmaṇa–Nāga Saṃvāda — Uñchavrata-niścaya
Dialogue and the Resolve to Practice Uñchavrata
अग्रतश्नाभवत् प्रीतो ववन्दे चापि पादयो: । त॑ पादयोर्निपतितं दृष्टवा सव्येन पाणिना
agrataś cābhavat prīto vavande cāpi pādayoḥ | tāṃ pādayor nipatitaṃ dṛṣṭvā savyena pāṇinā (…)
Vaiśaṃpāyana sprach: Als Prajāpati ihn vor sich sah, erfüllte ihn große Freude. Śiva verneigte sich und fiel zu seinen Füßen. Als der allmächtige Herr (Prajāpati) Śiva in ehrfürchtiger Niederwerfung an seinen Füßen sah, hob er ihn mit der rechten Hand empor und redete nach langer Zeit zu dem Sohn, der zu ihm herangekommen war.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse models dharmic conduct through mutual reverence: greatness is shown by humility in the devotee (Śiva’s prostration) and by compassionate dignity in the superior (Prajāpati lifting him up). Authority is paired with kindness, and devotion is met with upliftment.
Śiva approaches Prajāpati/Brahmā after a long time and bows at his feet. Prajāpati, pleased to see him, raises Śiva up with his right hand and begins to speak to him as a son who has returned.