Shloka 5
Sarasvatī-avatāra-prasaṅgaḥ
Account of Sarasvatī’s Manifestation and the Humbling of the Devas
ततोऽवलिप्ता अमरास्स्वप्रशंसां वितेनिरे । वयं धन्या वयं धन्या किं करिष्यंति नोऽसुराः
tato'valiptā amarāssvapraśaṃsāṃ vitenire | vayaṃ dhanyā vayaṃ dhanyā kiṃ kariṣyaṃti no'surāḥ
Then the Devas, swollen with pride, began to praise themselves: “We are blessed—indeed, we are blessed! What can the Asuras possibly do to us now?”
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages, describing the Devas' reaction)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights how even divine beings can fall into ahaṅkāra (ego). In a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, pride becomes a pāśa (bond) that obscures Shiva’s grace; humility and surrender to Pati (Shiva) protect dharma and inner clarity.
Self-praise shifts attention from Shiva—the true source of śakti and victory—to one’s own doership. Linga worship trains the devotee to offer all success back to Shiva, dissolving ego and restoring right relationship with Saguna Shiva as the Lord who grants and withdraws power.
Practice japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with the bhāva of offering results to Shiva, and apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder of impermanence—an antidote to pride and self-congratulation.