Shloka 24
उपमन्युकुमारस्य क्षीरार्थ-प्रार्थना तथा शिवप्रसाद-निबन्धनम् | Upamanyu’s Longing for Milk and the Doctrine of Shiva’s Grace
एवमुक्तः स वै तेन शक्ररूपेण शम्भुना । वरयामि शिवे भक्तिमित्युवाच कृताञ्जलि
evamuktaḥ sa vai tena śakrarūpeṇa śambhunā | varayāmi śive bhaktimityuvāca kṛtāñjali
Thus addressed by Śambhu, who had assumed the form of Śakra (Indra), he joined his palms in reverence and said: “I choose devotion to Śiva as my boon.”
The devotee being addressed by Shiva (Shambhu in the form of Indra/Śakra)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Significance: Choosing bhakti as the boon is framed as the highest puruṣārtha in Śaiva Siddhānta: devotion ripens into Śiva’s anugraha, which alone severs pāśa (bondage).
FAQs
The verse elevates bhakti as the श्रेष्ठ वर (highest boon): rather than seeking power or pleasure, the devotee asks for steadfast devotion to Pati (Śiva), which—by Shaiva Siddhanta—purifies the paśu and leads toward Śiva’s grace (anugraha) and liberation.
Śiva appears in a perceivable form (Śakra-rūpa), showing Saguna compassion and accessibility; the devotee’s request for bhakti implies continued worship—often expressed through Liṅga-upāsanā, mantra-japa, and daily reverence—rather than merely receiving a temporary boon.
The immediate cue is kṛtāñjali (añjali-mudrā) and choosing bhakti: a practical takeaway is daily pañcākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with folded hands and a devotion-centered intention, treating devotion itself as the primary sādhana and fruit.