Shloka 533
Duryodhana’s Śaraṇāgati and the Pāṇḍavas’ Resolve
Gandharva Encounter
भावैस्तु विविधाकारै: पूजयन्ति महेश्वरम् मरणधर्मा मनुष्य इस संसारमें सत्कर्मोद्वारा रुद्रदेवकी ही पूजा करते हैं। इन्हींको शिव, ईश, रुद्र और पितामह कहते हैं। लोग नाना प्रकारके भावोंसे भगवान् महेश्वरकी पूजा करते हैं
bhāvaistu vividhākāraiḥ pūjayanti maheśvaram | maraṇadharmā manuṣyāḥ saṃsāre satkarmodvārā rudradevasyaiva pūjāṃ kurvanti | etān eva śiva īśa rudraḥ pitāmaha iti ca vadanti | lokā nānāprakārair bhāvair bhagavantaṃ maheśvaraṃ pūjayanti ||
Mārkaṇḍeya said: “With many different inner dispositions and outward forms, people worship Maheśvara. Mortal human beings in this world, by means of righteous deeds, in truth worship Rudra alone. It is he whom they also call Śiva, Īśa, Rudra, and Pitāmaha. Thus do people, with diverse attitudes of devotion, worship the Blessed Lord Maheśvara.”
मार्कण्डेय उवाच
Educational Q&A
True worship of Maheśvara/Rudra is not limited to ritual form; it is also expressed through satkarma—righteous, beneficial action—performed with sincere devotion. Diverse temperaments and methods can still converge on the same Lord.
Mārkaṇḍeya explains to his listeners that people approach the Great Lord in many ways and under many names—Śiva, Īśa, Rudra, Pitāmaha—yet the object of worship is one. He frames ethical conduct (good deeds) as a meaningful mode of honoring the deity.