Shloka 31
Bhaimaśaṅkara-māhātmya: Śiva’s Descent in Kāmarūpa and the Rise of Bhīma
सूत उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा तु नमश्चक्रे ब्रह्मणे स हि राक्षसः । ब्रह्मा चापि तदा तस्मै वरं दत्त्वा गृहं ययौ
sūta uvāca | ityuktvā tu namaścakre brahmaṇe sa hi rākṣasaḥ | brahmā cāpi tadā tasmai varaṃ dattvā gṛhaṃ yayau
สูตะกล่าวว่า—ครั้นกล่าวดังนั้นแล้ว รากษสะผู้นั้นได้ถวายบังคมแด่พระพรหม จากนั้นพระพรหมก็ประทานพรแก่เขา แล้วเสด็จกลับสู่ที่ประทับของพระองค์
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights the puranic ethic that even a rākṣasa, when he approaches with humility (namaskāra), becomes eligible to receive a result. In Shaiva understanding, external boons are secondary; reverence and right orientation of the will are the real turning points that can later mature into devotion toward Śiva (Pati) and liberation.
Though the verse names Brahmā, it sits within the Kotirudra stream that ultimately glorifies Śiva’s manifestations (especially Jyotirliṅgas). It implicitly contrasts creator-granted, worldly boons with the higher refuge of Saguna Śiva worship—where devotion to the Liṅga leads beyond temporary favors toward grace and freedom from bondage.
The practical takeaway is namaskāra with purity of intent—daily bowing to the Divine and to gurus/elders. In a Shaiva routine this pairs naturally with pañcākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and simple Liṅga-pūjā, cultivating humility that makes spiritual practice fruitful.