Shloka 23
कामदाहोत्तरवृत्तान्तः / Aftermath of Kāma’s Burning
Pārvatī’s Fear and Himavān’s Consolation
तं समुत्सृज्य रहसि कालीं तामगमंस्त्वरा । लोकोपकारको ज्ञानी त्वं मुने शिववल्लभः
taṃ samutsṛjya rahasi kālīṃ tāmagamaṃstvarā | lokopakārako jñānī tvaṃ mune śivavallabhaḥ
Leaving him aside in secret, you swiftly went to that Kālī. O sage, you are wise and devoted to the welfare of the world; you are indeed beloved of Śiva.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Kālī
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse praises a Śaiva sage as both jñānī (rooted in true knowledge) and lokopakāraka (working for the welfare of all), showing that devotion to Śiva is validated by selfless action and swift responsiveness to dharma, not by mere status or speech.
Calling the sage “Śivavallabha” highlights Saguna Śiva’s grace toward devotees whose lives embody Śiva’s qualities—compassion, discernment, and protection—core attitudes cultivated through Linga-upāsanā and remembrance of Śiva’s names.
The practical takeaway is to combine mantra-japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with lokopakāra as a discipline—serving beings as Śiva’s own—supported by Śaiva sādhana such as Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa when appropriate.