Shloka 20
ऋषभचरित्रवर्णनम् (Ṛṣabha-caritra-varṇanam) — “Account of Ṛṣabha’s Sacred Narrative”
पञ्चमे द्वापरे चैव व्यासस्तु सविता स्मृतः । तदा योगी भविष्यामि कंको नाम महातपाः
pañcame dvāpare caiva vyāsastu savitā smṛtaḥ | tadā yogī bhaviṣyāmi kaṃko nāma mahātapāḥ
पञ्चमे द्वापरे व्यासः सविता इति स्मृतः; तदा अहं कंको नाम महातपाः योगी भविष्यामि।
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Āghoramūrti
FAQs
The verse highlights Shiva’s compassionate guidance through time: in each yuga, he supports dharma by manifesting an appropriate form—here as a tapasvī-yogin—showing that liberation is accessible through disciplined yoga and austerity offered to Pati (Shiva).
By declaring a specific name and role, Shiva indicates Saguna accessibility—devotees can approach him through tangible forms, saints, and disciplined practices, while ultimately those practices lead toward realizing his transcendent (Nirguna) nature.
The emphasis is on yoga supported by tapas: steady japa of Shiva-mantra (especially the Pañcākṣarī), meditation, and a disciplined ascetic life—often complemented in Shaiva practice by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma), Rudrākṣa, and daily worship.