Shloka 24
देवस्तुतिः — Hymn of Praise by the Devas
Devastuti
त्वत्कृपातश्च तौ मुक्तावास्तां भुक्तेह सत्सुखम् । पूर्वजन्मनि यौ कीशकुक्कुटौ रुद्रभूषणौ
tvatkṛpātaśca tau muktāvāstāṃ bhukteha satsukham | pūrvajanmani yau kīśakukkuṭau rudrabhūṣaṇau
By your grace, those two have been liberated, and even here they abide enjoying true and noble happiness. In a former birth they were a monkey and a rooster—both adorned with Rudra’s insignia and favoured by him.
Lord Shiva (Rudra), narrating the fruit of grace and past-life merit within the Yuddhakhaṇḍa context
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Illustrates Śiva’s anugraha: even beings of low/animal birth, when marked by Rudra-bhakti (rudra-bhūṣaṇa), can be lifted beyond pāśa into sat-sukha and mukti.
FAQs
It highlights that liberation (moksha) arises primarily through Shiva’s grace (anugraha), which can uplift even those with humble past births, transforming karmic limitation into true, auspicious happiness through devotion to Rudra.
The verse emphasizes Saguna Shiva’s compassionate agency: devotion to Rudra’s visible marks and worshipful identity (Rudra-bhūṣaṇa) becomes a channel for grace, which culminates in freedom from bondage and the experience of sat-sukha.
A practical takeaway is to seek Rudra’s anugraha through steady bhakti—daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and adopting Shaiva signs such as bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudrāksha with reverence.