Shloka 13
Śiva–Arjuna Yuddha and the Subjugation of Pride (Śiva-parīkṣā)
धृत्वा पादौ तदा तस्य भ्रामयामास सोर्जुनः । विजहास महादेवो भक्तवत्सल ऊतिकृत्
dhṛtvā pādau tadā tasya bhrāmayāmāsa sorjunaḥ | vijahāsa mahādevo bhaktavatsala ūtikṛt
Ketika itu Arjuna menggenggam kaki-Nya lalu mula memutarkan-Nya. Mahādeva—yang penyayang kepada para bhakta dan pembawa kesejahteraan—tersenyum dan tertawa kecil.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
FAQs
It highlights that when a devotee approaches Shiva with intense, personal devotion and surrender, Mahadeva responds not with anger but with gracious delight—showing the nearness of Saguna Shiva to the bhakta and the primacy of divine grace.
Though Linga worship emphasizes Shiva’s all-pervading reality, this verse presents Saguna Shiva’s accessible, relational aspect—Bhaktavatsala—affirming that both symbol (Linga) and personal Lord lead the devotee toward the same Supreme Pati through devotion.
The takeaway is bhakti-filled surrender at Shiva’s feet: during japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), meditate on Mahadeva as Bhaktavatsala and offer inner prostration (mānasa-namaskāra), supported by simple Shaiva observances like bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa if one follows them.