Shloka 1
देवर्षि-प्रश्नः तथा असुर-वध-हेतुनिवेदनम् | The Devas’ Petition and the Cause for Slaying Asuras
ब्रह्मोवाच । इति स्तुतिं च हर्यादिकृतामाकर्ण्य शंकरः । बभूवातिप्रसन्नो हि विजहास च सूतिकृत्
brahmovāca | iti stutiṃ ca haryādikṛtāmākarṇya śaṃkaraḥ | babhūvātiprasanno hi vijahāsa ca sūtikṛt
Brahmā said: Having thus heard the hymn of praise offered by Hari (Viṣṇu) and the others, Śaṅkara became exceedingly pleased; and the auspicious Lord, the well-wisher of all beings, smiled.
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Type: stotra
FAQs
It shows that sincere stuti (devotional praise) awakens Śaṅkara’s prasāda—Shiva’s gracious turning toward devotees—which is central in Shaiva Siddhānta as the descent of divine favor that loosens pāśa (bondage).
Śaṅkara’s visible response—becoming pleased and smiling—highlights Saguna worship: devotees approach Shiva through praise, form, and qualities, and the Lord responds with accessible grace, which later culminates in blessings often centered on Liṅga-upāsanā.
The takeaway is stuti and nāma-smaraṇa: recite Shiva-stotras or the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with devotion, cultivating inner humility to invite Śiva’s prasāda.