Shloka 20
पानीयदान-प्रपादान-वापीकूपतडाग-निर्माण-प्रशंसा
Praise of Water-Gift and the Construction of Wells and Tanks
किन्नरोरगरक्षांसि देवगंधर्वमानवाः । तथैवर्षिगणाश्चैव संश्रयंति महीरुहान्
kinnaroragarakṣāṃsi devagaṃdharvamānavāḥ | tathaivarṣigaṇāścaiva saṃśrayaṃti mahīruhān
Kinnaras, serpentine beings, and the Rākṣasas; likewise the Devas, Gandharvas, and human beings—and so too the hosts of Ṛṣis—take refuge in the great trees.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Portrays trees as universal āśraya (refuge) for all classes of beings—celestial, human, and liminal—echoing Śiva as Paśupati, lord and refuge of all embodied life.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights a universal dharmic principle: all classes of beings—celestial, human, and even fearsome—seek shelter in a higher support. In Shaiva Siddhanta, this points to śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) as a movement from insecurity (paśutva) toward the protecting order upheld by Pati (Śiva).
The image of “taking refuge” parallels approaching the Śiva-liṅga as the stable support (ādhāra) for all beings. Just as beings gather under great trees, devotees gather at the liṅga—Saguna Śiva’s accessible form—seeking protection, purification, and inner steadiness.
Practice śaraṇāgati with a simple liṅga-centered routine: offer water and bilva leaves, apply tripuṇḍra (bhasma), and repeat the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” cultivating the feeling of taking refuge in Śiva as one’s sole shelter.