Shloka 24
देवर्षि-प्रश्नः तथा असुर-वध-हेतुनिवेदनम् | The Devas’ Petition and the Cause for Slaying Asuras
निदेशस्तव च स्वामिन्नहं सृष्टिकरो हरिः । पालको लयहेतुस्त्वमाविर्भूतस्स्वयं शिवः
nideśastava ca svāminnahaṃ sṛṣṭikaro hariḥ | pālako layahetustvamāvirbhūtassvayaṃ śivaḥ
O Lord and Master, I act in accordance with Your command. Hari (Viṣṇu) is the agent of creation and the sustainer, while You are the very cause of dissolution (laya); indeed, You have manifested here as Śiva Himself.
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a jyotirliṅga episode; the verse articulates functional hierarchy: Brahmā/Viṣṇu operate by Śiva’s niyati (command), while Śiva is the laya-hetu and manifests directly.
Type: stotra
Cosmic Event: Implicit cosmic cycle of sṛṣṭi-sthiti-laya under Śiva’s sovereignty.
FAQs
It asserts Shiva’s lordship (Pati) over cosmic functions: even the powers of creation, preservation, and dissolution operate under His directive, guiding the devotee toward surrender and liberation.
By declaring that Shiva ‘manifests’ as Himself, the verse supports Saguna worship—Shiva becomes accessible to devotion through manifest forms such as the Linga, while remaining the supreme cause behind all functions.
A key takeaway is śaraṇāgati (surrender) expressed through japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offered with a bhāva of aligning one’s will to Shiva’s nideśa (divine command).