Shloka 9
अवधूतेश्वरलीला (Avadhūteśvara-līlā) — Śiva Tests Indra’s Pride on the Way to Kailāsa
स्वस्थाने संस्थितः शंभुः किम्वान्यत्र गतोऽधुना । दर्शनार्थं हि तस्याहं गच्छामि सगुरुस्सुरैः
svasthāne saṃsthitaḥ śaṃbhuḥ kimvānyatra gato'dhunā | darśanārthaṃ hi tasyāhaṃ gacchāmi sagurussuraiḥ
Is Śambhu now established in His own abode, or has He gone elsewhere? For the very sake of beholding Him, I am setting forth—together with my preceptor and the devas.
Brahma (inferred narrator within the Shatarudrasaṃhitā dialogue)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
The verse highlights darśana as a grace-filled encounter with Pati (Śiva): the devotee’s longing to behold Śambhu becomes the direct means by which divine presence is realized, pointing to Shaiva Siddhanta’s emphasis on Śiva’s anugraha (bestowing grace).
By seeking “darśanārtha”—the sight of Śambhu—the verse reflects Saguna-oriented devotion, where the seeker approaches Shiva as personally present and approachable (as in Liṅga worship and temple darśana), even while acknowledging His freedom to be ‘here or elsewhere’.
The takeaway is purposeful pilgrimage and temple-darśana with devotion—ideally supported by japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined purity—approaching Shiva with reverence, as one would when seeking His living presence.