Shloka 58
देवस्तुतिः—नन्दिकेश्वरविज्ञप्तिः—शम्भोः समाधेः उत्थानम्
Devas’ Hymn, Nandikeśvara’s Petition, and Śiva’s Rising from Samādhi
भक्ताधीनः शंकरोऽपि श्रुत्वा देववचस्तदा । विहस्य प्रत्युवाचाशु वेदमर्यादरक्षकः
bhaktādhīnaḥ śaṃkaro'pi śrutvā devavacastadā | vihasya pratyuvācāśu vedamaryādarakṣakaḥ
ಆಗ ಭಕ್ತಾಧೀನನಾದ ಶಂಕರನು ದೇವರ ವಚನವನ್ನು ಕೇಳಿದನು. ವೇದಮರ್ಯಾದೆಯ ರಕ್ಷಕನಾದ ಪ್ರಭು ನಗುತ್ತಲೇ ತಕ್ಷಣ ಉತ್ತರಿಸಿದನು.
Suta Goswami (narrating; introducing Lord Shiva’s reply)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Role: teaching
FAQs
It reveals Shiva’s core nature: though transcendent, He willingly responds to devotion (bhakti) while simultaneously safeguarding Vedic maryada—showing that grace and dharma are not opposed.
Linga/Saguna worship is a direct channel of bhakti; this verse implies Shiva accepts and answers such devotion, but the worship should remain aligned with scriptural discipline and purity (maryada).
Practice bhakti with discipline: daily Shiva-puja with Panchakshara japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), Tripuṇḍra/bhasma and rudrākṣa where appropriate, and conduct consistent with Vedic dharma.