Shloka 48
तपसो महिमा
The Greatness and Typology of Tapas
किंतु पापैर्महामोहैः किंचित्काले शिवाज्ञया । वसंति तत्र मानुष्यास्ततो यांति शिवास्पदम्
kiṃtu pāpairmahāmohaiḥ kiṃcitkāle śivājñayā | vasaṃti tatra mānuṣyāstato yāṃti śivāspadam
Yet, due to their sins and great delusion, some human beings—by Śiva’s command—dwell there for a certain time; thereafter they go to Śiva’s own abode.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Frames karmic consequence as operating under Śiva’s ordinance (ājñā): even when souls undergo purificatory suffering due to pāśa (mala/karma/māyā), the end is oriented toward Śiva’s abode through His governance and eventual grace.
FAQs
It teaches that even when beings are bound by pāpa (sin) and mahāmoha (deep delusion), Śiva—as Pati (the Lord)—governs the timing of their experience; after a measured period, His grace allows them to reach Śiva’s abode, indicating liberation is ultimately under divine ordinance, not mere chance.
Śiva’s “ājñā” implies an accessible Lord who responds to devotion; Linga-worship and Saguna bhakti cultivate surrender to Śiva’s will, helping the devotee move from delusion toward the Lord’s sphere (śivāspada) through His favor.
The practical takeaway is to reduce pāpa and mahāmoha through Śiva-bhakti—daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), worship of the Linga with humility, and purificatory observances such as Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as supports for steady remembrance of Śiva.