Shloka 24
शक्तितत्त्ववर्णनम् / Exposition of the Principle of Śakti
गर्भस्थो जायमानो वा बालो वा तरुणोपि वा । वृद्धो वा म्रियमाणो वा स्वर्गस्थो वाथ नारकी
garbhastho jāyamāno vā bālo vā taruṇopi vā | vṛddho vā mriyamāṇo vā svargastho vātha nārakī
Whether one is in the womb or being born, a child or a youth; whether aged or at the very point of death—whether dwelling in heaven or even fallen into hell—one remains within Śiva’s saving grace and the power of Śaiva devotion.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Affirms that Śiva’s saving reach spans all life-stages and post-mortem states (svarga/naraka). In Siddhānta terms, anugraha is not temporally limited; it can operate when karmic maturation permits, even at death’s threshold.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It emphasizes the universality of Śiva’s compassion: regardless of birth-stage, age, or even post-mortem realm (heaven or hell), the soul (paśu) can still be touched by Śiva (Pati) through devotion and divine grace, transcending bonds (pāśa).
By listing every condition of embodied and post-embodied existence, the verse supports the Purāṇic teaching that Saguna Śiva—approached through Liṅga worship, mantra, and pūjā—remains accessible to all, and his grace is not limited by circumstance.
A practical takeaway is continuous Śiva-smaraṇa (remembrance) through the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” especially at liminal times like illness and death; paired with simple Śaiva observances such as Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa when possible.