Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
क्रीडन्ति सर्पर्नकुला मृगैर्व्याच्रिश्व मित्रवत् । प्रभावाद् दीप्ततपसां सैनिकर्षान्महात्मनाम्
krīḍanti sarpā nakulā mṛgair vyāghraiś ca mitravat | prabhāvād dīptatapasāṃ sannikarṣān mahātmanām ||
क्रीडन्ति सर्पैर्नकुला मृगैर्व्याघ्राश्च मित्रवत् । प्रभावाद्दीप्ततपसां सान्निध्यात् महात्मनाम् ॥
वासुदेव उवाच
The presence and spiritual potency (prabhāva) of truly austere, great-souled persons can calm violence and dissolve instinctive hostility, creating an atmosphere of peace and mutual safety.
Vāsudeva describes a wondrous effect seen near powerful ascetics: creatures that are normally enemies—serpents and mongooses, tigers and other beasts—behave without fear or aggression, as if they were companions.