Shloka 39
अहं वा वासुदेवो वा स्थाणुर्वा पुरुषोत्तमः । भविष्यामस्तव वशे किमन्ये प्राणधारकाः
ahaṃ vā vāsudevo vā sthāṇurvā puruṣottamaḥ | bhaviṣyāmastava vaśe kimanye prāṇadhārakāḥ
“Whether it be I, or Vāsudeva (Viṣṇu), or Sthāṇu (Śiva), or even the Supreme Person—each of us will remain under your dominion; what then can be said of other embodied beings who merely sustain life-breath?”
Satī (addressing Dakṣa, asserting his worldly authority over even the greatest beings)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights the contrast between worldly power and spiritual truth: even exalted deities are spoken of as being within “control” in a social or cosmic order, yet Shaiva teaching ultimately points beyond ego and hierarchy to surrender to Pati (Śiva) and liberation from bondage.
By naming Sthāṇu (Śiva) among the highest beings, the verse sets the stage for Satī’s defense of Śiva’s supreme worthiness of worship; in the Satī narrative, disrespect toward Śiva (often worshipped as the Liṅga, Saguna for devotees) is shown as a grave spiritual error rooted in pride.
The takeaway is humility and surrender: practice japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with bhakti, and cultivate inner renunciation of ego—preparing the mind for Liṅga-worship and Śiva-dhyāna.