Srimad Bhagavatam — Ashtama Skandha, Shloka 20
Kūrma Supports Mandara; Hālahala Appears; Śiva Becomes Nīlakaṇṭha
विलोक्य तं देववरं त्रिलोक्या भवाय देव्याभिमतं मुनीनाम् । आसीनमद्रावपवर्गहेतो- स्तपो जुषाणं स्तुतिभि: प्रणेमु: ॥ २० ॥
vilokya taṁ deva-varaṁ tri-lokyā bhavāya devyābhimataṁ munīnām āsīnam adrāv apavarga-hetos tapo juṣāṇaṁ stutibhiḥ praṇemuḥ
诸天看见神中之神大自在天与婆伐尼同坐于凯拉萨山巅，为三界的吉祥安泰而修持苦行。求解脱的圣贤正在礼敬供奉他；诸天亦以至诚顶礼，并献上赞颂祈祷。
FAQs
Because they recognize Śiva as the exalted deva revered across the three worlds, dear to sages and Devī, and they approach him with stuti and pranāma while he is engaged in tapasya for liberation.
'Apavarga-hetoḥ' means “for the purpose of liberation (mokṣa),” indicating that Lord Śiva is absorbed in austerity aimed at spiritual freedom.
It teaches respectful approach to saintly and divine personalities—seeking shelter with humility, offering sincere prayers, and valuing tapasya (disciplined spiritual practice) as a path toward inner freedom.