Shloka 21
पार्वतीप्रार्थना—हिमवत्पार्श्वे भिक्षुरूपेण याचनम् | Pārvatī’s Request: Śiva to Seek Her in Beggar-Form at Himālaya’s Court
मायामयं कृतमिदं च जगत्समग्रं सर्वात्मना हि विधृतं परया स्वबुद्ध्या । सवार्त्मभिस्सुकृतिभिः परमात्मभावैस्संसिक्तमात्मनि गणः परिवेष्टितश्च
māyāmayaṃ kṛtamidaṃ ca jagatsamagraṃ sarvātmanā hi vidhṛtaṃ parayā svabuddhyā | savārtmabhissukṛtibhiḥ paramātmabhāvaissaṃsiktamātmani gaṇaḥ pariveṣṭitaśca
This entire universe is fashioned of Māyā, yet it is sustained by the Supreme as the inner Self of all, through His own supreme consciousness. And the host of beings—those of virtuous merit, whose awareness is steeped in the sense of the Supreme Self—remain encompassed and established within that very Self.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Purāṇic teaching to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that the world is Māyā in its appearance, yet it is upheld by Shiva as the indwelling Self (Sarvātman). Liberation matures when one’s awareness becomes permeated with Paramātma-bhāva—seeing all within Shiva and oneself established in Him.
Linga-worship trains the mind to recognize Shiva as the unseen support of all forms. While the universe appears manifold through Māyā, devotion to Saguna Shiva (as Linga and Lord) leads the seeker toward the realization of Shiva as the inner Self beyond form.
Cultivate Paramātma-bhāva through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and inward meditation on Shiva as the Self in all beings; let virtuous conduct (sukṛti) support steady contemplation.