Shloka 28
राहोर्विमोचनानन्तरं जलन्धरस्य सैन्योद्योगः — Rahu’s Aftermath and Jalandhara’s Mobilization
सनत्कुमार उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य महेशस्य वचनं गरुडध्वजः । प्रत्युवाच विनीतात्मा नतकस्साञ्जलिर्हरिः
sanatkumāra uvāca | ityākarṇya maheśasya vacanaṃ garuḍadhvajaḥ | pratyuvāca vinītātmā natakassāñjalirhariḥ
Sanatkumāra said: Having thus heard the words of Maheśa (Lord Śiva), Hari—he whose banner bears Garuḍa—humbly bowed down, joined his palms in reverence, and then replied with a disciplined and courteous mind.
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
FAQs
The verse highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta ethic of vinaya (humility): even the great deva Hari responds to Maheśa with namaskāra and añjali, showing that true spiritual authority is honored through surrender and disciplined conduct.
The posture of bowing and joined palms models Saguna Shiva-upāsanā—approaching Maheśa as the gracious Lord who can be addressed, heard, and honored. It supports the Purāṇic mood of personal devotion that underlies Linga worship.
It suggests the practice of añjali-mudrā and namaskāra before Śiva (e.g., before the Liṅga), cultivating vinaya and attentive listening (śravaṇa) prior to mantra-japa such as the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”