Shloka 33
साधुवेषद्विजाह्वयावतारकथनम् | Account of the ‘Sādhu-veṣa’ Brahmin-Named Incarnation
Prelude
ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याद्युक्त्वा वचस्तथ्यं शिवनिन्दापरं स हि । जगाम स्वालयं शीघ्रन्नाना लीलाकरः शिवः
brahmovāca | ityādyuktvā vacastathyaṃ śivanindāparaṃ sa hi | jagāma svālayaṃ śīghrannānā līlākaraḥ śivaḥ
Brahmā said: Having spoken thus, he uttered words that were in truth aimed at censuring Śiva; then he quickly departed to his own abode. Thus did Śiva, the Lord who enacts manifold divine līlās, proceed.
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse highlights that even when blame is directed toward Śiva, He remains the sovereign Lord of līlā—acting for cosmic instruction while being untouched by dualities like praise and censure. For the seeker, it warns against Śiva-nindā and encourages humility and devotional discernment.
Śiva as nānā-līlā-kara (performer of many divine acts) is a Saguna presentation of the Supreme—approachable through Linga worship and bhakti. The narrative implies that irreverence (nindā) obstructs grace, while reverent worship aligns the devotee with Śiva’s auspicious presence.
A practical takeaway is to avoid Śiva-nindā in speech and mind, and instead steady oneself in japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with a reverent attitude; on Mahāśivarātri, reinforce this with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and simple Linga-pūjā as acts of purification of speech and intent.