Shloka 21
Aditi’s Progeny and the Twelve Ādityas
Manvantara Genealogy
बलेः पुत्रशतं त्वासीदशनायां मुनीश्वर । बलिरासीन्महाशैवः शिवभक्तिपरायणः
baleḥ putraśataṃ tvāsīdaśanāyāṃ munīśvara | balirāsīnmahāśaivaḥ śivabhaktiparāyaṇaḥ
హే మునీశ్వరా! అశనా నుండి బలికి వంద మంది కుమారులు ఉన్నారు. బలి స్వయంగా మహాశైవుడు—శివభక్తికి పరాయణుడు.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It highlights that lineage and worldly power are secondary; the highest identity praised is being “mahāśaivaḥ”—one whose life is anchored in Śiva-bhakti, pointing to liberation through devotion to Pati (Lord Śiva).
By calling Bali a “mahāśaiva” devoted to Śiva, the verse implies committed Saguna worship—devotion expressed through reverence, service, and traditional forms such as Liṅga-upāsanā, which the Purāṇa repeatedly presents as a direct means to Śiva’s grace.
The takeaway is steadfast daily Śiva-bhakti—regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and faithful pūjā (often centered on the Liṅga), performed with constancy rather than mere occasional observance.