Shloka 58
देवस्तुतिः—नन्दिकेश्वरविज्ञप्तिः—शम्भोः समाधेः उत्थानम्
Devas’ Hymn, Nandikeśvara’s Petition, and Śiva’s Rising from Samādhi
भक्ताधीनः शंकरोऽपि श्रुत्वा देववचस्तदा । विहस्य प्रत्युवाचाशु वेदमर्यादरक्षकः
bhaktādhīnaḥ śaṃkaro'pi śrutvā devavacastadā | vihasya pratyuvācāśu vedamaryādarakṣakaḥ
Daraufhin hörte Śaṅkara, obgleich der höchste Herr, der stets den Bhaktas zugewandt ist, die Worte der Götter. Lächelnd antwortete der Hüter der vedischen Heiligkeit unverzüglich.
Suta Goswami (narrating; introducing Lord Shiva’s reply)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Role: teaching
FAQs
It reveals Shiva’s core nature: though transcendent, He willingly responds to devotion (bhakti) while simultaneously safeguarding Vedic maryada—showing that grace and dharma are not opposed.
Linga/Saguna worship is a direct channel of bhakti; this verse implies Shiva accepts and answers such devotion, but the worship should remain aligned with scriptural discipline and purity (maryada).
Practice bhakti with discipline: daily Shiva-puja with Panchakshara japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), Tripuṇḍra/bhasma and rudrākṣa where appropriate, and conduct consistent with Vedic dharma.