Shloka 68
उपमन्युकुमारस्य क्षीरार्थ-प्रार्थना तथा शिवप्रसाद-निबन्धनम् | Upamanyu’s Longing for Milk and the Doctrine of Shiva’s Grace
एवमुक्तश्शिवस्तेन सर्वेषां शृण्वताम्प्रभुः । प्रत्युवाच प्रसन्नात्मोपमन्युं सकलेश्वरः
evamuktaśśivastena sarveṣāṃ śṛṇvatāmprabhuḥ | pratyuvāca prasannātmopamanyuṃ sakaleśvaraḥ
Thus addressed by him, Lord Śiva—the sovereign Master—while all were listening, replied to Upamanyu with a serene and gracious heart, as the Lord of all.
Suta Goswami (narrating the dialogue of Lord Shiva to Upamanyu)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Depicts the archetype of grace: Śiva, ‘Sakaleśvara’ (Lord of all), responding publicly ‘while all listen’—suggesting that anugraha is both personal and exemplary, inspiring communal bhakti.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights Shiva as Sakaleśvara (the supreme Lord) whose response arises from prasāda (grace). In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, liberation is ultimately enabled by the Lord’s compassionate will when the devotee approaches sincerely.
The verse presents Shiva in a personal, responsive (saguṇa) mode—one who listens and answers devotees. This supports Linga worship as a living encounter with Shiva’s accessible form through which grace is communicated.
Śravaṇa (devotional listening) is emphasized—hearing the Purana or Shiva’s teachings with attention. As a takeaway, combine attentive listening with japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to invite Shiva’s prasāda.