Shloka 12
Śatarudrīya-prabhāva and Rudra’s Supremacy (शतरुद्रीयप्रभावः)
षट्पदैरुपगीतैश्व माधवाप्रतिमो गिरि: । तन्महोत्सवसंकाशं भीमरूपधरं तत:
ṣaṭpadair upagītaiś ca mādhavāpratimo giriḥ | tan-mahotsava-saṅkāśaṃ bhīma-rūpa-dharaṃ tataḥ ||
नारद उवाच—अथ स गिरिर्माधवाप्रतिमोऽभवत्, षट्पदैरुपगीतैश्च सुसंस्तुतः। ततः परं भीमरूपधरः कश्चिद् भयानकाकृतिः प्रादुरभवत्, तन्महोत्सवसंकाशं तेजसा द्योतमानः॥
नारद उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse uses auspicious natural imagery (bees’ humming, festival-like radiance) alongside a sudden fearful manifestation to suggest that dharmic narratives often juxtapose beauty and terror, reminding the listener to maintain steadiness and discernment amid changing appearances.
Nārada describes a mountain scene filled with the humming ‘songs’ of bees, portraying the mountain as splendid like Mādhava; then he notes the subsequent appearance of a terrifying, formidable form, shining with a brilliance likened to a grand festival.