Shloka 17
Arjuna–Gaṇa Saṃvāda: Bāṇādhikāra, Tāpasa-veṣa, and the Ethics of Tapas (अर्जुन-गणसंवादः)
सत्यं न भाषसे त्वं च किमतः सिद्धिमिच्छसि । प्रयोजनं चेद्बाणेन स्वामी च याच्यतां मम
satyaṃ na bhāṣase tvaṃ ca kimataḥ siddhimicchasi | prayojanaṃ cedbāṇena svāmī ca yācyatāṃ mama
Ngươi không nói lời chân thật; vậy làm sao mong cầu thành tựu (siddhi) từ điều ấy? Nếu ngươi có mục đích nào liên quan đến Bāṇa, hãy đến cầu xin nơi Chúa tể của ta, tức Đức Śiva.
An attendant/devotee aligned with Lord Shiva (speaking to a petitioner in the Bāṇa narrative)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
The verse links siddhi to satya (truthfulness): spiritual success is not merely a result of desire, but of inner integrity. In a Shaiva Siddhanta tone, purity of intention and truthful speech are essential for receiving Shiva’s grace (anugraha).
It directs the seeker toward the personal Lord (Saguna Shiva) as the rightful giver of boons—implying that requests should be made directly to Shiva with sincerity, as one would approach the Linga with honest devotion rather than manipulation.
A practical takeaway is satya-vrata (a vow of truth) alongside simple Shiva-upasana—such as japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—before seeking any worldly or spiritual boon.