Shloka 28
किमर्थं सुतपस्तप्तं कथयध्वं सुरद्विषां । सर्वेषां तपसो दाता सर्वकर्तास्मि सर्वदा
kimarthaṃ sutapastaptaṃ kathayadhvaṃ suradviṣāṃ | sarveṣāṃ tapaso dātā sarvakartāsmi sarvadā
“For what purpose have you performed this excellent austerity? Tell me, O adversaries of the gods. I am ever the bestower of the fruits of all tapas, and at all times I am the universal doer who brings all acts to completion.”
Lord Shiva (as the Supreme Pati, bestower of the fruits of tapas)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse establishes Shiva as Pati—the supreme Lord who both empowers austerity and grants its fruit. Tapas is not autonomous; its fulfillment depends on Shiva’s grace, aligning effort with divine sanction.
It supports Saguna Shiva worship by portraying Shiva as the responsive Lord who questions the devotee’s intent and then bestows results. In Linga worship, one approaches the same all-doer Shiva as the accessible giver of boons and liberation.
Clarify saṅkalpa (purpose) before worship, then perform steady tapas with Shiva-centered japa—especially the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—optionally supported by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as Shaiva aids to discipline and devotion.