तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य दधीचस्य महामुने । क्षुवः प्राहेति नृपतिः श्रीमदेन विमोहितः
tacchrutvā vacanaṃ tasya dadhīcasya mahāmune | kṣuvaḥ prāheti nṛpatiḥ śrīmadena vimohitaḥ
Hearing the words of that great sage Dadhīci, King Kṣuva—deluded by worldly splendor and pride—spoke thus.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
It highlights how śrī (worldly prosperity) can become a pasha (bondage) that clouds discernment; true dharma begins with humility before realized sages and devotion to Pati (Shiva) rather than intoxication with status.
The verse sets the moral context for Shaiva worship: approaching Shiva (often through the Linga as Saguna support) requires inner purity and surrender, not pride. Delusion from “śrī-mada” obstructs bhakti and right understanding of Shiva’s grace.
A practical takeaway is to cultivate humility before worship—performing Linga-pūjā with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” consciously offering one’s pride and attachment into Shiva’s presence.