Shloka 38
नन्दाव्रत-समाप्तिः तथा शङ्करस्य प्रत्यक्ष-दर्शनम्
Completion of the Nandā-vrata and Śiva’s Direct Appearance
तेनाहमपि चाज्ञप्तः कृतकृत्यो मुदान्वितः । प्रावोचं चेति जगतां नाथं तं भक्तवत्सलम्
tenāhamapi cājñaptaḥ kṛtakṛtyo mudānvitaḥ | prāvocaṃ ceti jagatāṃ nāthaṃ taṃ bhaktavatsalam
Thus, I too was instructed by him; feeling my duty fulfilled and filled with joy, I spoke out in praise of that Lord of the worlds, the affectionate guardian of His devotees.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Satī-kathā to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Type: stotra
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It highlights bhakti as a lived response to divine instruction: when one performs one’s dharma with sincerity, the heart naturally overflows into praise of Shiva, the Pati (Lord) who responds with grace to devotees.
By calling Shiva “Lord of the worlds” and “bhaktavatsala,” the verse points to Saguna devotion—approaching Shiva as a personal, compassionate Lord (often worshipped as the Linga) who accepts prayer, praise, and surrender.
A practical takeaway is stuti and nāma-japa: regularly recite Shiva’s praises and repeat the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with the attitude of having offered one’s actions to the bhaktavatsala Lord.