Shloka 12
देवस्तुतिवर्णनम् (Deva-stuti-varṇana) — “Description of the Gods’ Hymn/Praise”
किं कर्तव्यं क्व गंतव्यं कः स्यादस्मत्सुखप्रदः । किं तु किंत्विति संजातं हा हताः स्मेति वादिनम्
kiṃ kartavyaṃ kva gaṃtavyaṃ kaḥ syādasmatsukhapradaḥ | kiṃ tu kiṃtviti saṃjātaṃ hā hatāḥ smeti vādinam
“What should be done? Where should we go? Who could grant us welfare and relief?”—thus, in their confusion, they kept repeating, ‘But what? what indeed?’ and lamented, crying, “Alas, we are struck down!”
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
FAQs
It portrays the pashu (bound being) overwhelmed by fear and uncertainty, a moment that Shaiva Siddhanta reads as the turning-point where worldly strategies fail and one becomes ready to seek the true sukha-prada—Pati, Lord Shiva—whose grace alone grants lasting refuge and liberation.
The verse highlights the search for a reliable protector; in Shiva Purana devotion, that protector is approached through Saguna Shiva—especially the Linga as the accessible, steady form for surrender, prayer, and receiving anugraha (grace) amid turmoil.
A practical takeaway is to stabilize the mind by japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and seek Shiva’s protection with simple worship—applying bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and offering water to the Linga—transforming panic into remembrance and surrender.