Shloka 66
Kṛṣṇādi-Śivabhaktoddhāraṇa & Śiva-māhātmya-varṇana
Deliverance of Krishna and other devotees; Description of Shiva’s Greatness
चतुष्पादं सरस्वत्याः पारंगत्वं च शाश्वतम् । न तुल्यं च सहस्रं तु पुत्राणां प्रददौ शिवः
catuṣpādaṃ sarasvatyāḥ pāraṃgatvaṃ ca śāśvatam | na tulyaṃ ca sahasraṃ tu putrāṇāṃ pradadau śivaḥ
Śiva bestowed upon them the fourfold perfection of Sarasvatī—everlasting mastery and consummate excellence—and, moreover, He granted a thousand sons, unequalled by any comparison.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana account to the sages, with the verse reporting Shiva’s boon)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Shakti Form: Lalitā
Role: teaching
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse highlights Pati (Śiva) as the supreme bestower of anugraha (grace): He grants both inner wealth (mastery of sacred speech/knowledge symbolized by Sarasvatī) and outer welfare (progeny). In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, such gifts ultimately point to Śiva’s power to uplift the bound soul (paśu) by removing limitation through right knowledge and divine favor.
It reflects Saguna Śiva—the compassionate Lord who responds to devotion with tangible boons. Linga worship in the Shiva Purana is repeatedly presented as a direct means to receive Śiva’s anugraha, including clarity of speech, learning, and auspicious worldly supports that help sustain dharma.
A practical takeaway is to seek Śiva’s grace for purified speech and insight through japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with Linga-pūjā, optionally supported by vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as Shaiva disciplines for steadiness, remembrance, and devotion.