Shloka 48
Śiva–Arjuna Yuddha and the Subjugation of Pride (Śiva-parīkṣā)
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति श्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य पुनः प्रोवाच शंकर । सुप्रसन्नतरो भूत्वा विहसन्प्रभुरर्जुनम्
nandīśvara uvāca | iti śrutvā vacastasya punaḥ provāca śaṃkara | suprasannataro bhūtvā vihasanprabhurarjunam
Nandīśvara said: Having heard his words, Śaṅkara spoke again. Becoming even more gracious, the Lord smiled and addressed Arjuna.
Nandīśvara (Nandi)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
FAQs
It highlights Śiva’s anugraha (bestowing grace): when a seeker’s words are received with sincerity, the Lord becomes “more pleased” and responds directly, showing that divine compassion is awakened by devotion and humility.
Śaṅkara is shown as the approachable Saguna Lord who listens and replies. Linga-worship similarly trains the devotee to approach Shiva with reverence, leading to experiential closeness and the sense of the Lord’s smiling, benevolent presence.
Offer prayerful speech (stuti/japa) with humility—especially Panchākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—and cultivate a receptive mind, trusting that sincere invocation draws Shiva’s gracious response.