Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 8.7.22
Āśraya· The supreme shelterLord Śiva Acts for Lord Viṣṇu
“O lord, you are the cause of bondage and liberation of the entire universe because you are its ruler. Those who are advanced in spiritual consciousness surrender unto you, and therefore you are the cause of mitigating their distresses, and you are also the cause of their liberation. We therefore worship Your Lordship.”
What the purport teaches
- The prayer praises Lord Śiva as the ruler concerned with bondage and liberation. Those advanced in spiritual consciousness surrender to him for relief from distress.
- Actually Lord Viṣṇu maintains and accomplishes all good fortune. The demigods approach Lord Śiva because he acts on Lord Viṣṇu’s behalf.
- Lord Viṣṇu remains unattached to material activities and performs them through Lord Śiva. In contact with the external energy, He appears in His feature as Lord Śiva.
Try this today
Write one sentence explaining why approaching Lord Śiva here does not overlook Lord Viṣṇu.
Ask yourself
What does this explanation help you understand about the demigods’ choice of shelter?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.