Shloka 20
भक्तिभेदाः—ज्ञानप्रधानभक्तेः प्रशंसा
Grades of Devotees and the Praise of Knowledge-Centered Devotion
इत्युक्त्वा शंकरस्स्वामी सर्वेषां परमेश्वरः । सर्वेषां शृण्वतां तत्रोवाच वाणीं कृपाकरः
ityuktvā śaṃkarassvāmī sarveṣāṃ parameśvaraḥ | sarveṣāṃ śṛṇvatāṃ tatrovāca vāṇīṃ kṛpākaraḥ
Having spoken thus, Śaṅkara—the Lord, the Supreme God of all—then, while everyone listened there, the compassionate One addressed them with his words.
Lord Shiva (Śaṅkara)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It emphasizes Śiva as Parameśvara and kṛpākara (bestower of grace): liberation is ultimately enabled by the Lord’s compassionate instruction and anugraha received through attentive listening and devotion.
By portraying Śiva as the personal, compassionate speaker, it supports Saguna-bhakti—approaching the Lord as a gracious master who can be worshipped (including as the Liṅga) and who responds through teachings that guide the devotee toward the Supreme.
Śravaṇa (devotional listening) and mantra-oriented remembrance: hear Śiva-kathā with focus, then internalize it through japa (such as the Pañcākṣarī, Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as a practical way to receive and retain Śiva’s grace.