Shloka 45
Viśvānara-Gṛhapati Upākhyāna — Śivasya Agni-gṛhe Avatāraḥ
The Account of Viśvānara Gṛhapati and Śiva’s Descent into the House of Fire
तोये शैत्यं दाहकत्वं च वह्नौ तापो भानौ शीतभानौ प्रसादः । पुष्पे गन्धो दुग्धमध्येऽपि सर्पिर्यत्तच्छंभो त्वं ततस्त्वाम्प्रपद्ये
toye śaityaṃ dāhakatvaṃ ca vahnau tāpo bhānau śītabhānau prasādaḥ | puṣpe gandho dugdhamadhye'pi sarpiryattacchaṃbho tvaṃ tatastvāmprapadye
Прохлада в воде, сила жечь в огне, жар в солнце, умиротворяющая благодать в луне; аромат в цветке и топлёное масло, скрытое в молоке, — какова бы ни была эта внутренняя сущность, о Шамбху, это Ты. Потому я ищу прибежище в Тебе.
Suta Goswami (narrating the hymn as part of the Shatarudra discourse)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva (Pati) is the subtle indwelling reality behind all observable qualities—coolness, heat, fragrance, nourishment—so devotion matures into recognizing Him as the inner essence and surrendering to Him for liberation.
The Linga symbolizes Shiva as the formless essence (nirguṇa) that supports all forms; this verse mirrors that idea by pointing to the unseen principle within visible qualities, making Linga-worship a meditation on Shiva’s immanence in all phenomena.
Practice inner-essence contemplation: while chanting the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), reflect that every perceived quality arises by Shiva’s presence, and conclude with prapatti (surrender) to Śambhu.