Shloka 22
Hari’s Special Mercy, Śiva’s Quick Boons, and the Deliverance from Vṛkāsura
तच्छ्रुत्वा भगवान् रुद्रो दुर्मना इव भारत । ॐ इति प्रहसंस्तस्मै ददेऽहेरमृतं यथा ॥ २२ ॥
tac chrutvā bhagavān rudro durmanā iva bhārata om iti prahasaṁs tasmai dade ’her amṛtaṁ yathā
Hearing this, Lord Rudra seemed somewhat disturbed, O descendant of Bharata. Yet he uttered “Om” to signify assent and, with an ironic smile, granted Vṛka the boon—as if offering milk to a poisonous serpent.
FAQs
This verse depicts Rudra granting a boon while smiling, implying that boons may be given even when they are spiritually risky—like offering nectar to a serpent—highlighting the need for wise desires and devotion.
“Om” marks a sacred, authoritative assent; Śiva grants the request, yet the comparison to giving nectar to a serpent suggests he knows the boon may empower harmful tendencies, making it a grave, cautionary moment in the narrative.
Ask for devotion, purity, and service rather than power or revenge; even if a wish is fulfilled, it can become dangerous without dharma and bhakti guiding one’s intention.