कैलासमार्गे शङ्करस्य परीक्षा — Śiva Tests the Approachers on the Kailāsa Path
सनत्कुमार उवाच । इत्युक्तो गुरुणा रुद्रो भक्तवत्सलनामभाक् । प्रत्युवाच प्रसन्नात्मा सुरेज्यं प्रणतार्त्तिहा
sanatkumāra uvāca | ityukto guruṇā rudro bhaktavatsalanāmabhāk | pratyuvāca prasannātmā surejyaṃ praṇatārttihā
Sanatkumāra berkata: Setelah ditegur demikian oleh Gurunya, Rudra—yang masyhur sebagai pelindung penuh kasih para bhakta—menjawab dengan hati yang tenteram. Dialah yang dipuja bahkan oleh para dewa, penghapus duka mereka yang bersujud, lalu bertitah sebagai jawapan.
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
It highlights Rudra as bhaktavatsala—Śiva’s defining trait is compassionate grace toward devotees; sincere surrender evokes a calm, benevolent response that removes the devotee’s inner and outer distress.
By calling Rudra “worshipped by the gods” and “remover of the distress of those who bow,” the verse supports Saguna upāsanā: devotees approach Śiva through reverent surrender (praṇāma), a core attitude in Liṅga-worship and temple devotion.
The practical takeaway is praṇāma with bhakti—begin worship with humble prostration and remembrance of Śiva’s grace, ideally alongside japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to align the mind into prasannatā (serenity).