संध्याचरित्रवर्णनम् (Sandhyā-caritra-varṇanam) — “Narration of Sandhyā’s Austerity and Encounter with Śiva”
हिमानीतर्जितांभोजसदृशं वदनं तदा । निरीक्ष्य कृपयाविष्टो हरः प्रोवाच तामिदम्
himānītarjitāṃbhojasadṛśaṃ vadanaṃ tadā | nirīkṣya kṛpayāviṣṭo haraḥ provāca tāmidam
Kemudian Hara, melihat wajahnya—laksana teratai yang layu disentuh dingin embun beku—diliputi belas kasih, lalu berkata kepadanya demikian.
Suta Goswami (narrating the scene; the spoken words are by Lord Shiva/Hara)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
It highlights Śiva as Pati (the compassionate Lord) who responds to the devotee’s inner distress with grace; divine compassion is shown as the doorway through which the bound soul (paśu) is steadied and guided toward auspiciousness.
The verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva—Hara as a personal, responsive Lord—whose mercy comforts and instructs. In Linga worship, this same compassionate presence is approached through reverent attention, surrender, and listening to Śiva’s guidance (śiva-ājñā).
A practical takeaway is karuṇā-bhāvanā (cultivating compassion) and śaraṇāgati (surrender): sit before a Śiva-liṅga, chant “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with steady breath, and mentally offer one’s sorrow to Śiva, seeking his instruction and protection.