Shloka 60
रावणस्य तपः-शिवानुग्रहः — Rāvaṇa’s Austerity and Śiva’s Bestowal of Grace
सूत उवाच । तदीयं तद्वचः श्रुत्वा देवर्षिर्जातसंभ्रमः । विहस्य च मनस्येव रावणं नारदोऽब्रवीत्
sūta uvāca | tadīyaṃ tadvacaḥ śrutvā devarṣirjātasaṃbhramaḥ | vihasya ca manasyeva rāvaṇaṃ nārado'bravīt
Sūta said: Hearing those words of his, the divine sage Nārada—momentarily stirred with astonishment—smiled inwardly and then spoke to Rāvaṇa.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Significance: Sets up didactic testing: a sage’s inward smile indicates discernment (viveka) about claims made around liṅga-worship and power; pilgrimage is not merely merit but also purification of intention.
FAQs
It highlights the role of the guru-like sage (Nārada) who, seeing a devotee’s or seeker’s confusion or pride, responds with inner composure—guiding the soul toward Shiva-oriented discernment rather than reacting with anger.
By showing Nārada’s measured response, the verse sets the devotional tone needed for Saguna Shiva worship—approaching the Linga with humility, receptivity, and readiness to be instructed in proper bhakti and pilgrimage disciplines.
The implied practice is inner restraint (manonigraha) before action—pausing, steadying the mind, and then speaking or worshipping; this aligns with mantra-japa (such as the Panchakshara) performed with calm attention and reverence.