Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 33
ये त्वात्मरामगुरुभिर्हृदि चिन्तिताङ्घ्रि- द्वन्द्वं चरन्तमुमया तपसाभितप्तम् । कत्थन्त उग्रपरुषं निरतं श्मशाने ते नूनमूतिमविदंस्तव हातलज्जा: ॥ ३३ ॥
ye tv ātma-rāma-gurubhir hṛdi cintitāṅghri- dvandvaṁ carantam umayā tapasābhitaptam katthanta ugra-paruṣaṁ nirataṁ śmaśāne te nūnam ūtim avidaṁs tava hāta-lajjāḥ
Para mahāpurusha yang ātmārāma, yang mengajar dunia, sentiasa merenungkan sepasang kaki teratai-Mu di dalam hati. Namun mereka yang tidak mengetahui kemuliaan tapa-Mu, melihat Engkau berjalan bersama Umā lalu menyangka Engkau dikuasai nafsu; melihat Engkau mengembara di tanah pembakaran mayat lalu menganggap Engkau garang dan dengki. Sesungguhnya mereka tidak tahu malu; mereka tidak memahami lila-Mu.
Lord Śiva is the topmost Vaiṣṇava ( vaiṣṇavānāṁ yathā śambhuḥ ). It is therefore said, vaiṣṇavera kriyā-mudrā vijñe nā bujhaya. Even the most intelligent person cannot understand what a Vaiṣṇava like Lord Śiva is doing or how he is acting. Those who are conquered by lusty desires and anger cannot estimate the glories of Lord Śiva, whose position is always transcendental. In all the activities associated with lusty desires, Lord Śiva is an implement of ātma-rāma. Ordinary persons, therefore, should not try to understand Lord Śiva and his activities. One who tries to criticize the activities of Lord Śiva is shameless.
FAQs
This verse shows that the greatest self-realized sages meditate on Śiva’s lotus feet, while those who mock or boast in ignorance fail to understand his true potency.
In their prayer, the Devas contrast genuine spiritual reverence for Śiva with the pride of those who imitate externals (like dwelling in śmaśāna) without realizing his inner divine power and austerity.
Do not judge spirituality by outer appearance or subculture; value humility, austerity, and sincere meditation, and avoid egoistic “boasting” that lacks real understanding.