वासिष्ठ उवाच भो वत्स वत्स विप्रेन्द्र पराशर महाद्युते रक्षितो ऽहं त्वया तात गर्भस्थेन महात्मना
vāsiṣṭha uvāca bho vatsa vatsa viprendra parāśara mahādyute rakṣito 'haṃ tvayā tāta garbhasthena mahātmanā
วสิษฐะกล่าวว่า “โอ้ ลูกเอ๋ย โอ้ พราหมณ์ผู้ประเสริฐ ปราศระผู้รุ่งเรืองยิ่ง ลูกของพ่อ แม้เมื่อเจ้ายังอยู่ในครรภ์ เจ้าผู้เป็นมหาตมะก็ได้คุ้มครองเราไว้”
Vasiṣṭha
It highlights the Purāṇic theme that dharma-protection can precede even birth; in Shaiva framing, such protection is ultimately upheld by Pati (Śiva) through the merit and tapas of His devotees and lineages.
Though Śiva is not named directly, the verse implies a higher guardianship operating through a mahātman; in Shaiva Siddhānta, Pati empowers the pashu (individual soul) to protect and uphold dharma even under limiting conditions (pāśa).
The implied practice is tapas and dharmic śakti (spiritual potency) associated with a great soul; it aligns with Pāśupata discipline where inner power born of austerity and devotion becomes a means of protection and upliftment.