Shloka 20
Vaiśyanātha-avatāra-kathā
The Account of Śiva’s Manifestation as Vaiśyanātha
वैश्यनाथ उवाच । अस्मिन्रत्नवरे दिव्ये सस्पृहं यदि ते मनः । त्वमेवाधत्स्व सुप्रीत्या मौल्यमस्य ददासि किम्
vaiśyanātha uvāca | asminratnavare divye saspṛhaṃ yadi te manaḥ | tvamevādhatsva suprītyā maulyamasya dadāsi kim
Vaiśyanātha said: “If your mind longs for this divine and excellent jewel, then take it yourself with joyful devotion—what price could you possibly give for it?”
Vaiśyanātha
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; the verse functions as a narrative ‘gift beyond price’ motif, later readable as bhakti where divine grace cannot be purchased.
Significance: Frames the core Siddhānta idea that Śiva’s anugraha is not a commodity; devotion (prīti) is the only ‘fitness’ (adhikāra).
FAQs
The verse highlights that truly divine gifts—symbols of Shiva’s grace—are not commodities; they are received through sincere longing and devotional readiness rather than worldly bargaining.
In Saguna Shiva worship, sacred objects and blessings (prasāda) are approached with reverence and devotion; the verse reinforces that the ‘value’ lies in bhakti and surrender to Shiva, not in material payment.
The practical takeaway is to approach Shiva’s worship with su-prīti (joyful devotion)—offer simple upacāras with faith, repeat the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and receive prasāda without transactional mentality.