Shloka 18
व्योमवाणी-श्रवणं, गणानां शरणागमनं, सती-दाह-वृत्तान्तः — Hearing the Heavenly Voice; The Gaṇas Seek Refuge; Account of Satī’s Self-Immolation
पृष्टेन शंभुना तात त्वयाश्वेव शिवात्मना । तत्सर्वं कथितं वृतं जातं दक्षाध्वरे हि यत्
pṛṣṭena śaṃbhunā tāta tvayāśveva śivātmanā | tatsarvaṃ kathitaṃ vṛtaṃ jātaṃ dakṣādhvare hi yat
O dear one, when Śambhu asked you—who are indeed of Śiva’s very nature—you promptly recounted in full everything that happened at Dakṣa’s sacrificial rite.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya, describing the flow of narration within the Dakṣa-yajña episode)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It emphasizes that true understanding of sacred events arises when the listener and speaker are aligned with Śiva-bhāva (Śiva-consciousness). The verse also frames the Dakṣa-yajña episode as a complete teaching: ritual (adhvara) becomes meaningful only when rooted in devotion to Pati (Śiva).
By naming Śiva as Śambhu and highlighting the devotee as śivātman, it points to Saguna Śiva as the personal Lord who questions, guides, and receives devotion. In Linga-worship, this same relationship is enacted: the devotee approaches Śiva as the accessible form (Saguna) while cultivating inner identity with His presence.
The practical takeaway is śravaṇa and smaraṇa—listening to Śiva-kathā and remembering it with devotion. As a supporting Shaiva practice, one may chant the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while contemplating the lesson of the Dakṣa-yajña: ritual must be joined to reverence for Śiva.