Shloka 19
Saṃjñā–Chāyā Upākhyāna: Sūrya-tejas, Substitution, and the Birth of Manu, Yama, and Yamunā
स्नेहमस्मास्वपाकृत्य कनीयांसं बिभर्ति सा । तस्मान्मयोद्यतः पादस्तद्भवान् क्षंतुमर्हति
snehamasmāsvapākṛtya kanīyāṃsaṃ bibharti sā | tasmānmayodyataḥ pādastadbhavān kṣaṃtumarhati
Setting aside her affection for us, she supports the younger one. Therefore my foot has been raised in anger—may you please forgive this offense.
An elder male figure in the Umāsaṃhitā narrative (speaking deferentially to a respected superior, seeking forgiveness)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights kṣamā (forgiveness) and humility: even when one feels wronged by partiality, the Shaiva path asks the devotee to restrain anger, confess fault, and seek pardon—loosening the bonds (pāśa) that keep the soul (paśu) from Shiva’s grace (pati).
In Saguna Shiva worship, inner purification is central: approaching Shiva (often through the Linga) with repentance and a softened ego is itself an offering. The verse models the devotional attitude that makes ritual effective—self-control, truthfulness, and readiness to be corrected.
Practice kṣamā-bhāvanā (forgiveness contemplation) before japa: calm the impulse to react, mentally bow to Shiva, and repeat the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with the resolve to abandon anger and seek reconciliation.