Shloka 27
देवर्षि-प्रश्नः तथा असुर-वध-हेतुनिवेदनम् | The Devas’ Petition and the Cause for Slaying Asuras
ब्रह्मोवाच । इति श्रुत्वा वचो मे हि ब्रह्मणः पुरतो हरेः । स मां जगाद लोकेशः स्मेराननमुखो हरः
brahmovāca | iti śrutvā vaco me hi brahmaṇaḥ purato hareḥ | sa māṃ jagāda lokeśaḥ smerānanamukho haraḥ
Brahmā said: “Having thus heard my words, in the presence of Hari, Lord Hara—the sovereign of the worlds—addressed me, his face turned toward me with a gentle, smiling countenance.”
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse highlights Shiva (Hara) as Lokesha—the gracious Lord who responds to sincere speech and inquiry. His smiling demeanor signifies anugraha (divine grace), central to Shaiva Siddhanta where liberation arises through Shiva’s compassionate bestowal of knowledge and favor.
By depicting Hara with a visible, gentle expression, the text supports saguna-upasana—devotional contemplation of Shiva’s accessible form. Such reverent approach naturally culminates in Linga-worship as the stable emblem through which devotees relate to the transcendent (nirguna) Shiva.
A simple takeaway is saguna dhyana: meditate on Shiva as Lokesha with a serene, smiling face while repeating the Panchakshara mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"). This can be paired with Tripundra (bhasma) and Rudraksha as supportive Shaiva disciplines.