Shloka 20
भैरवावतारलीलावर्णनम् (Bhairava-avatāra-līlā-varṇanam) — “Narration of the Divine Play of Bhairava’s Descent”
एवमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशस्संप्रहृष्टतनूरुहः । प्रणिपत्य महादेवमिदमाह वृषध्वजम्
evamuktvā hṛṣīkeśassaṃprahṛṣṭatanūruhaḥ | praṇipatya mahādevamidamāha vṛṣadhvajam
Dicho esto, Hṛṣīkeśa (Viṣṇu), con el cuerpo estremecido de júbilo, se postró ante Mahādeva y luego habló a Vṛṣadhvaja (Śiva, cuyo estandarte lleva al toro).
Suta Goswami (narrating the scene; the direct speaker within the verse is Vishnu/Hrishikesha)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Models the ideal approach to Śiva: praṇipāta (prostration) with bhāva (horripilation), a template for temple etiquette and inner surrender.
FAQs
It highlights bhakti-lakṣaṇas (devotional signs) and śaraṇāgati (surrender): even Viṣṇu approaches Mahādeva with reverence, affirming Śiva as the supreme refuge (Pati) who grants grace and liberation.
The verse models Saguna-upāsanā through humble prostration to Śiva identified by a sacred iconographic name (Vṛṣadhvaja). Such reverence underlies Linga worship as a concrete focus for devotion leading the soul toward Śiva’s grace.
The takeaway is namaskāra/prāṇipāta with heartfelt devotion—begin worship by bowing to Śiva, then offer prayer or japa (especially the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with inner joy and humility.