Mahabharata — Anushasana Parva, Shloka 137
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
हृदिस्थ: सर्वभूतानां विश्वरूपो महेश्वर: । भक्तानामनुकम्पार्थ दर्शनं च यथाश्रुतम्
hṛdisthaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ viśvarūpo maheśvaraḥ | bhaktānām anukampārthaṃ darśanaṃ ca yathāśrutam ||
Vāsudeva said: “The great Lord, whose form is the whole universe, abides in the hearts of all beings. Out of compassion for His devotees, He grants them His vision—just as it has been heard and handed down in sacred tradition.”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
The Supreme Lord is both immanent and universal—present within the heart of every being and encompassing all as His cosmic form. Divine revelation (darśana) is not arbitrary; it is granted out of compassion to devotees, aligning with what is affirmed by sacred tradition (yathāśrutam).
Vāsudeva is explaining the nature of the Lord to his listener(s): the deity is inwardly present in all creatures and, when devotees seek Him with faith, He mercifully allows them a direct experience or vision, consistent with what has been transmitted in authoritative teachings.