Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 20
Kūrma Supports Mandara; Hālahala Appears; Śiva Becomes Nīlakaṇṭha
विलोक्य तं देववरं त्रिलोक्या भवाय देव्याभिमतं मुनीनाम् । आसीनमद्रावपवर्गहेतो- स्तपो जुषाणं स्तुतिभि: प्रणेमु: ॥ २० ॥
vilokya taṁ deva-varaṁ tri-lokyā bhavāya devyābhimataṁ munīnām āsīnam adrāv apavarga-hetos tapo juṣāṇaṁ stutibhiḥ praṇemuḥ
Les demi-dieux virent le Seigneur suprême, Mahādeva, assis au sommet du mont Kailāsa avec Bhavānī, pour l’heureux bien des trois mondes. De grands sages en quête de délivrance l’adoraient; les demi-dieux lui offrirent alors prosternations et prières avec un profond respect.
FAQs
Because they recognize Śiva as the exalted deva revered across the three worlds, dear to sages and Devī, and they approach him with stuti and pranāma while he is engaged in tapasya for liberation.
'Apavarga-hetoḥ' means “for the purpose of liberation (mokṣa),” indicating that Lord Śiva is absorbed in austerity aimed at spiritual freedom.
It teaches respectful approach to saintly and divine personalities—seeking shelter with humility, offering sincere prayers, and valuing tapasya (disciplined spiritual practice) as a path toward inner freedom.