Shloka 23
दक्षस्य तपः तथा जगदम्बायाः प्रत्यक्षता — Dakṣa’s Austerities and the Direct Manifestation of Jagadambā
केवलं स्वार्थमिति च सर्वेषां जगतामपि । ब्रह्मविष्णुशिवानां च ब्रह्मणा प्रेरितो ह्यहम्
kevalaṃ svārthamiti ca sarveṣāṃ jagatāmapi | brahmaviṣṇuśivānāṃ ca brahmaṇā prerito hyaham
“(Thinking) ‘it is only for one’s own self-interest’—so it is in all the worlds. Even regarding Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva, I too am indeed impelled by Brahmā to act.”
Brahmā
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights how beings often act from svārtha (self-interest), while cosmic actions too unfold through appointed divine roles—pointing the seeker toward surrendering egoic motive and aligning with Shiva’s higher order (pati’s grace).
By contrasting self-driven action with divinely guided action, it encourages Saguna Shiva worship (Linga-upāsanā) as a way to purify intention—turning svārtha into sevā and devotion under Shiva’s governance.
Offer actions with mantra-bhāva—especially japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and Tripuṇḍra-bhasma dhāraṇa—to reduce self-centered motive and dedicate karma to Shiva.