Shloka 56
Satyavrata, Vasiṣṭha, and the Crisis of Dharma: Protection, Anger, and Vow-Discipline
सागरत्वं च लेभे स कर्मणा तस्य तेन वै । तं चाश्वमेधिकं सोऽश्वं समुद्रादुपलब्धवान्
sāgaratvaṃ ca lebhe sa karmaṇā tasya tena vai | taṃ cāśvamedhikaṃ so'śvaṃ samudrādupalabdhavān
Melalui perbuatan itu juga, ia sungguh mencapai keadaan sebagai samudra. Dan kuda yang diperuntukkan bagi yajña Aśvamedha itu ia peroleh kembali dari lautan.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: The verse completes the etiological arc: through the deed, ‘sāgaratva’ (becoming/being the sea) is attained, and the Aśvamedha horse is recovered from the ocean—linking cosmic geography (ocean) with royal ritual economy (Aśvamedha).
Significance: Restoration of the sacrificial horse signifies re-establishment of dharma and rightful sovereignty; in Siddhānta terms, worldly order (sthiti) is stabilized when action aligns with divine ordinance.
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
Cosmic Event: Etiological transformation: the ‘ocean-state’ (sāgaratva) as a mythic cosmographic outcome of action.
FAQs
It highlights the Shiva Purana theme that karma bears precise results: a single decisive act can transform one’s destiny and even reshape one’s status in the cosmic order, ultimately pointing toward living by dharma as a foundation for Shiva-bhakti.
Though the verse is narrative, it aligns with Saguna Shiva worship by emphasizing dharmic action and sacrificial order (yajña) upheld under Shiva’s cosmic governance; such order culminates in devotion to Shiva as Pati, the Lord who grants the fruit of actions.
The takeaway is disciplined dharmic practice: perform duties with purity and dedication, and support Shiva-oriented worship such as japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) alongside simple observances like Tripuṇḍra and reverence for sacred rites.