Shloka 20
Śiva–Arjuna Yuddha and the Subjugation of Pride (Śiva-parīkṣā)
धियेति संविचार्य्यैव साञ्जलिर्नतमस्तकः । प्रणनाम प्रभुं प्रीत्या तदोवाच स खिन्नधीः
dhiyeti saṃvicāryyaiva sāñjalirnatamastakaḥ | praṇanāma prabhuṃ prītyā tadovāca sa khinnadhīḥ
‘આ તો બુદ્ધિ-વિવેકની શક્તિથી જ’ એમ મનમાં વિચાર કરીને તે હાથ જોડીને, મસ્તક નમાવી ઊભો રહ્યો. પ્રેમભક્તિથી પ્રભુને પ્રણામ કરીને, પછી ખિન્ન મનથી તે બોલ્યો।
Suta Goswami (narrating the episode; the immediate speaker in the verse is an unnamed devotee addressing Lord Shiva)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakshinamurti
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta mood of śaraṇāgati (surrender): true approach to Pati (Lord Shiva) is through humility (bowed head), devotion (prītyā), and inner discernment (dhi), even when the mind is troubled.
The verse models personal devotion to Saguna Shiva as 'Prabhu'—approaching the Lord with añjali and pranāma, which directly aligns with Linga-worship where the devotee offers reverence, bows, and then voices a prayer or request.
A simple practice is implied: stand before Shiva (or the Linga) with folded hands (añjali), bow/prostrate (praṇāma), steady the mind with discernment (dhi), and then offer a sincere spoken prayer—especially suitable for Mahashivratri worship.