Shloka 42
दधीच-शाप-हेतु-वर्णनम् / The Cause of Dadhīca’s Curse
Explaining Viṣṇu’s Role at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
तच्छुत्वा शंभुवचनं दधीचो भक्तसत्तमः । सांजलिर्नतकः प्राह शंकरं भक्तवत्सलम्
tacchutvā śaṃbhuvacanaṃ dadhīco bhaktasattamaḥ | sāṃjalirnatakaḥ prāha śaṃkaraṃ bhaktavatsalam
ശംഭുവിന്റെ വാക്കുകൾ കേട്ട് ഭക്തശ്രേഷ്ഠനായ ദധീചി കൈകൂപ്പി, തലകുനിച്ച്, ഭക്തവത്സലനായ ശങ്കരനോട് പറഞ്ഞു।
Suta Goswami (narrating the episode; the direct speech is by Dadhīca addressing Shiva)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Shows the correct devotee posture before the Lord: humility (nata), reverent address, and recognition of Śiva as bhakta-vatsala—central to temple etiquette and pilgrimage conduct.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva ideal of bhakti expressed through śravaṇa (listening to Shiva’s words), namaskāra (bowing), and añjali (folded hands), showing that humility and receptivity are primary gateways to Shiva’s grace.
By portraying Dadhīca directly venerating and addressing Śaṅkara as bhakta-vatsala, the verse emphasizes Saguna Shiva—personal, compassionate, and responsive—whose presence is also approached through the Śiva-liṅga in ritual worship.
The verse implicitly recommends respectful listening to Śiva-kathā and approaching Shiva with añjali and namaskāra; as a practical takeaway, one may begin worship with folded hands, a bow, and japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”