Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 33
Kūrma Supports Mandara; Hālahala Appears; Śiva Becomes Nīlakaṇṭha
ये त्वात्मरामगुरुभिर्हृदि चिन्तिताङ्घ्रि- द्वन्द्वं चरन्तमुमया तपसाभितप्तम् । कत्थन्त उग्रपरुषं निरतं श्मशाने ते नूनमूतिमविदंस्तव हातलज्जा: ॥ ३३ ॥
ye tv ātma-rāma-gurubhir hṛdi cintitāṅghri- dvandvaṁ carantam umayā tapasābhitaptam katthanta ugra-paruṣaṁ nirataṁ śmaśāne te nūnam ūtim avidaṁs tava hāta-lajjāḥ
The exalted ātmārāma sages who instruct the world constantly meditate within their hearts upon Your lotus feet. Yet those who do not know the glory of Your austerity, seeing You move with Umā, mistake You for lustful; and seeing You wander in the crematorium, think You fierce and envious. Surely they are shameless, for they cannot understand Your divine activities.
Lord Śiva is the topmost Vaiṣṇava ( vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ ). It is therefore said, vaiṣṇavera kriyā-mudrā vijñe nā bujhaya. Even the most intelligent person cannot understand what a Vaiṣṇava like Lord Śiva is doing or how he is acting. Those who are conquered by lusty desires and anger cannot estimate the glories of Lord Śiva, whose position is always transcendental. In all the activities associated with lusty desires, Lord Śiva is an implement of ātma-rāma. Ordinary persons, therefore, should not try to understand Lord Śiva and his activities. One who tries to criticize the activities of Lord Śiva is shameless.
FAQs
This verse shows that the greatest self-realized sages meditate on Śiva’s lotus feet, while those who mock or boast in ignorance fail to understand his true potency.
In their prayer, the Devas contrast genuine spiritual reverence for Śiva with the pride of those who imitate externals (like dwelling in śmaśāna) without realizing his inner divine power and austerity.
Do not judge spirituality by outer appearance or subculture; value humility, austerity, and sincere meditation, and avoid egoistic “boasting” that lacks real understanding.