Shloka 14
यक्षेश्वरावतारः (Yakṣeśvara-Avatāra) and the Nīlakaṇṭha Paradigm in the Churning of the Ocean
अथागतस्तदा राहुस्तुष्टाव सुप्रणम्य तम् । शंकरं सकलाधीशं वाग्भिरिष्टाभिरादरात्
athāgatastadā rāhustuṣṭāva supraṇamya tam | śaṃkaraṃ sakalādhīśaṃ vāgbhiriṣṭābhirādarāt
अथागतस्तदा राहुः तुष्टाव सुप्रणम्य तम् । शङ्करं सकलाधीशं वाग्भिरिष्टाभिरादरात् ॥
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Rudra
Significance: Even hostile or ambivalent beings (like Rāhu in graha-myths) approach Śiva as the universal sovereign; Śiva’s lordship transcends moral binaries, granting order through grace and restraint.
Type: stotra
Offering: pushpa
Cosmic Event: Graha-deity (Rāhu) enters the divine court; celestial hierarchy acknowledged under Śiva’s sovereignty.
FAQs
The verse highlights the Shaiva path of śaraṇāgati (surrender): even a powerful graha-being like Rahu approaches Shiva with humility, showing that Shiva, as Pati (the supreme Lord), responds to reverent devotion rather than status.
It models Saguna-upāsanā—approaching Shiva as Shankara, the beneficent, personal Lord—through namaskāra and stuti (praise). Such praise is a primary limb of Linga-centered worship in Purāṇic Shaivism.
A practical takeaway is to begin Shiva-pūjā with praṇāma and stotra: mentally bow, then recite a Shiva hymn (or the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with ādarā (reverence), cultivating humility before seeking boons or relief.