Shloka 17
गौतमस्य शिवदर्शनं पापक्षयवचनं च | Gautama’s Vision of Śiva and the Teaching on Sin and Purification
निश्चित्यैवं मुनिश्रेष्ठो गौतमश्शिवभक्तिमान् । सांजलिर्नतशीर्षो हि शंकरं वाक्यमब्रवीत्
niścityaivaṃ muniśreṣṭho gautamaśśivabhaktimān | sāṃjalirnataśīrṣo hi śaṃkaraṃ vākyamabravīt
Having thus arrived at a firm resolve, the foremost sage Gautama—devoted to Śiva—bowed with folded hands and lowered head, and then spoke these words to Śaṅkara.
Suta Goswami (narrating the scene; Gautama is about to speak to Shiva)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga locus; the verse depicts the archetypal approach of a devotee-sage to Śiva for instruction/boon, akin to guru-upāsanā scenes.
Significance: Models proper bhakti etiquette (añjali, bowed head) as an inner pilgrimage: humility that invites anugraha.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta mood of śaraṇāgati (surrender): true devotion to Pati (Śiva) is shown through humility, resolve, and respectful approach—folded hands and bowed head—before seeking grace.
The verse depicts direct reverence to Śaṅkara as the accessible Saguna Lord who responds to devotees; such an attitude is foundational to Linga-worship and Jyotirlinga pilgrimage narratives in the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā.
It suggests devotional upacāra in its simplest form—añjali (joined palms), pranāma (bowing), and inward steadiness of intention—often paired in practice with japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”