Shloka 12
गौतमस्य शिवदर्शनं पापक्षयवचनं च | Gautama’s Vision of Śiva and the Teaching on Sin and Purification
गौतम उवाच । ऋषिभिस्तैर्महेशान ह्युपकारः कृतो महान् । यद्येवं न कृतं तैस्तु दर्शनं ते कुतो भवेत्
gautama uvāca | ṛṣibhistairmaheśāna hyupakāraḥ kṛto mahān | yadyevaṃ na kṛtaṃ taistu darśanaṃ te kuto bhavet
Gautama thưa: “Ôi Maheśāna, các bậc hiền sĩ ấy quả đã làm cho Ngài một ân huệ lớn lao. Nếu họ không hành xử như thế, làm sao họ có thể được chiêm bái thánh nhan (darśana) của Ngài?”
Gautama Rishi
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse teaches that Śiva’s darśana is not random; it arises when devotees perform sincere upakāra—selfless service and right conduct—creating inner fitness for grace (anugraha).
It emphasizes Saguna Śiva’s accessibility: through devotion expressed as service and reverence, the Lord becomes “seen” as darśana—paralleling how Linga worship invites the felt presence of Śiva through disciplined devotion.
Practice bhakti as seva: offer daily worship with the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), maintain purity and humility, and serve saints/devotees—these dispositions are presented as the practical cause leading to Śiva-darśana.