Shloka 63
रावणस्य तपः-शिवानुग्रहः — Rāvaṇa’s Austerity and Śiva’s Bestowal of Grace
अयं वै विकृतिं प्राप्तः किं किं नैव ब्रवीति च । सत्यं नैव भवेत्तद्वै कथं ज्ञेयं प्रियोस्ति मे
ayaṃ vai vikṛtiṃ prāptaḥ kiṃ kiṃ naiva bravīti ca | satyaṃ naiva bhavettadvai kathaṃ jñeyaṃ priyosti me
«Cet homme, à coup sûr, est tombé dans un état de trouble ; il dit toutes sortes de choses. Cela ne peut être la vérité — comment donc savoir s’il m’est cher (ou s’il m’est réellement dévot) ?»
Suta Goswami (narrating a dialogue within the Kotirudra Samhita; the immediate speaker is inferred as a concerned character assessing another's disturbed speech)
Tattva Level: pashu
Significance: Illustrates the psychological turbulence (vikṛti) that can accompany pride, suspicion, and misreading of devotion; pilgrimage merit is impeded when the mind remains bound by pāśa (āṇava/kārma/māyīya).
FAQs
It highlights a Shaiva concern: disturbed speech and mental agitation can cloud discernment, so truth (satya) and steadiness are needed to recognize genuine devotion and right understanding.
Linga-worship emphasizes inner purity and steadiness; this verse underscores that erratic claims are not proof of closeness to Shiva—true bhakti is known through clarity, humility, and alignment with dharma.
A practical takeaway is to stabilize the mind through japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined worship (e.g., Tripundra/bhasma and Rudraksha with sincerity), so discernment is not lost to agitation.