Shloka 29
शक्तितत्त्ववर्णनम् / Exposition of the Principle of Śakti
अनेकजन्मसिद्धानां श्रौतस्मार्तानुवर्तिनाम् । विरक्तानां प्रबुद्धानां प्रसीदति महेश्वरः
anekajanmasiddhānāṃ śrautasmārtānuvartinām | viraktānāṃ prabuddhānāṃ prasīdati maheśvaraḥ
Mahādeva becomes gracious toward those perfected through many births—those who faithfully follow Vedic and Smārta disciplines, who are dispassionate, and who are spiritually awakened.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Defines the inner qualifications (adhikāra) for receiving Śiva’s prasāda—orthopraxy (śrauta-smārta), vairāgya, and bodha—often cultivated through tīrtha-yātrā and vrata over time.
Role: teaching
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva’s anugraha (grace) arises where long cultivation ripens into dharma-based living, inner detachment (vairāgya), and awakened discernment—marking readiness for liberation under Pati (Śiva).
It frames Saguna worship (such as Linga-upāsanā) as most fruitful when supported by Śrauta-Smārta purity and inner renunciation; then the devotee becomes fit to receive Śiva’s grace, which ultimately leads beyond form to the highest realization.
Steady observance of Vedic/Smārta duties along with Shaiva sādhanā—daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), worship of the Linga with a pure mind, and cultivation of vairāgya and self-inquiry leading to prabodha (awakening).