Shloka 46
शिवसतीविवाहोत्तरलीला — Post‑marital Līlā of Śiva and Satī
तद्वक्त्राम्बुजवासेन तत्सौन्दर्य्यैश्च नर्मभिः । गुणैरिव महादंती बद्धो नान्यविचेष्टितः
tadvaktrāmbujavāsena tatsaundaryyaiśca narmabhiḥ | guṇairiva mahādaṃtī baddho nānyaviceṣṭitaḥ
By dwelling upon the lotus of her face, and by her beauty and playful, affectionate words, He became bound—like a mighty elephant tied fast by a mere cord of good qualities—and could not act otherwise.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It portrays how even the greatest power becomes “bound” by divine virtues and love—indicating that true greatness in Shaiva thought is softened by bhakti and auspicious qualities, not by ego or force.
The verse highlights Saguna Shiva’s līlā—Shiva as the personal Lord who participates in loving relationship. Linga-worship similarly approaches Shiva through tangible devotion, where the heart is drawn and ‘bound’ by auspicious attributes (guṇas) leading toward deeper realization.
A practical takeaway is dhyāna on Shiva with loving devotion (bhāva) and japa of the Panchākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—so the mind becomes ‘bound’ to auspicious qualities rather than scattered desires.