Shloka 26
Lord Śiva Instructs the Pracetās (Śiva-stuti and the Path of Bhakti)
स तान् प्रपन्नार्तिहरो भगवान्धर्मवत्सल: । धर्मज्ञान् शीलसम्पन्नान् प्रीत: प्रीतानुवाच ह ॥ २६ ॥
sa tān prapannārti-haro bhagavān dharma-vatsalaḥ dharma-jñān śīla-sampannān prītaḥ prītān uvāca ha
Lord Śiva, the remover of the distress of those who take shelter and the well-wisher of dharma, was greatly pleased with those princes—knowers of righteousness and endowed with gentle conduct—and, in his joy, spoke to them as follows.
The Supreme Personality of Godhead, Viṣṇu, or Kṛṣṇa, is known as bhakta-vatsala, and herein we find Lord Śiva described as dharma-vatsala. Of course, the word dharma-vatsala refers to a person who lives according to religious principles. That is understood. Nonetheless, these two words have additional significance. Sometimes Lord Śiva has to deal with persons who are in the modes of passion and ignorance. Such persons are not always very much religious and pious in their activities, but since they worship Lord Śiva for some material profit, they sometimes obey the religious principles. As soon as Lord Śiva sees that his devotees are following religious principles, he blesses them. The Pracetās, sons of Prācīnabarhi, were naturally very pious and gentle, and consequently Lord Śiva was immediately pleased with them. Lord Śiva could understand that the princes were sons of Vaiṣṇavas, and as such Lord Śiva offered prayers to the Supreme Personality of Godhead as follows.
FAQs
This verse describes the Lord as prapannārtihara—He removes the distress of those who take shelter of Him, indicating divine protection follows sincere surrender.
He was pleased because they were dharma-jña (knowers of dharma) and śīla-sampanna (of exemplary conduct), showing devotion expressed through righteous living and character.
Study dharmic principles, live with integrity, and align daily choices with devotion—because the Bhagavatam emphasizes that sincere surrender combined with good character attracts divine grace.