Shloka 49
Svagati-varṇana
Description of the Supreme State / One’s True Attainment
एवमुक्तो मया शंभुर्विहस्य परमेश्वरः । कृपादृष्ट्या निरीक्ष्याशु मां स प्राह यदूद्वह
evamukto mayā śaṃbhurvihasya parameśvaraḥ | kṛpādṛṣṭyā nirīkṣyāśu māṃ sa prāha yadūdvaha
Thus addressed by me, Śambhu—the Supreme Lord—smiled. Casting upon me a compassionate glance, he quickly spoke to me, O best of the Yadus.
Narrator (a Shiva Purana narrator addressing a Yadu-descendant; likely the frame-narrator speaking to a royal listener)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Śiva’s smile and compassionate glance are presented as the immediate ‘darśana-phala’—the experiential sign of grace that pilgrims seek at liṅga-kṣetras.
FAQs
It highlights Śiva’s anugraha (grace): the Lord responds to sincere approach with a compassionate glance and guiding speech, showing that liberation and right understanding begin with divine mercy in the Shaiva Siddhanta spirit.
Śambhu is presented as personally approachable (saguṇa) through devotion; Linga-worship similarly invites the devotee into Śiva’s presence where his grace is experienced as protection, guidance, and inner awakening.
Adopt a bhakti-centered practice: approach Śiva with humility, repeat the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and meditate on receiving his compassionate gaze (kṛpā-dṛṣṭi) as inner purification and assurance.