Shloka 30
शक्तितत्त्ववर्णनम् / Exposition of the Principle of Śakti
प्रसन्ने सति देवेश पशौ तस्मिन्प्रवर्तते । अस्ति नाथो ममेत्यल्पा भक्तिर्बुद्धिपुरस्सरा
prasanne sati deveśa paśau tasminpravartate | asti nātho mametyalpā bhaktirbuddhipurassarā
O Lord of the gods, when You become gracious, even in that bound soul (paśu) there arises an awakening: “I have a Protector.” Thus a small yet discernment-led devotion begins—the soul’s first turning toward its Lord.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: Highlights the first interior sign of grace: the paśu’s dawning trust ('asti nātho mama'). Pilgrimage is reinterpreted as moving from external seeking to inner reliance on the Lord as Protector.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches the Shaiva Siddhanta principle that the bound soul (paśu) turns toward liberation only when Shiva (Pati) bestows grace; that grace first appears as the simple conviction, “I have a Lord,” which matures into bhakti and onward progress.
The verse points to a personal relationship with the Lord—“He is my Protector”—which is the inner basis of Saguna worship such as Linga-puja; external worship becomes effective when it is rooted in Shiva’s grace and awakened devotion.
Cultivate buddhi-purassarā bhakti by daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steady Linga-dhyana, praying for Shiva’s prasada so devotion moves from small beginnings to liberating surrender.