Shloka 47
Viśvānara-Gṛhapati Upākhyāna — Śivasya Agni-gṛhe Avatāraḥ
The Account of Viśvānara Gṛhapati and Śiva’s Descent into the House of Fire
नो वेद त्वामीश साक्षाद्धि वेदो नो वा विष्णुर्नो विधाताखिलस्य । नो योगीन्द्रानेन्द्रमुख्याश्च देवा भक्तो वेदस्त्वामतस्त्वाम्प्रपद्ये
no veda tvāmīśa sākṣāddhi vedo no vā viṣṇurno vidhātākhilasya | no yogīndrānendramukhyāśca devā bhakto vedastvāmatastvāmprapadye
O Lord, even the Veda does not directly know You; nor does Viṣṇu, nor Brahmā the creator of all. Nor do the greatest yogins, nor Indra and the foremost gods comprehend You. Therefore, since You are known only through devotion, I take refuge in You.
A devotee (stuti-speaker within the Shatarudrasaṃhitā narrative, as relayed by Suta Goswami)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse teaches that Shiva (Pati) transcends intellectual grasp—scripture, gods, and yogic attainment cannot fully contain Him—so the sure path is humble surrender and devotion that opens the heart to His grace.
Since Shiva is ultimately beyond description (nirguṇa), devotees approach Him through accessible forms (saguṇa)—especially the Śiva-liṅga—where devotion becomes the living means to relate to and realize the transcendent Lord.
The practical takeaway is bhakti-centered upāsanā: daily liṅga-pūjā with sincere surrender, japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), and inner remembrance (smaraṇa) rather than pride in mere learning.