In this verse he prays for the bestowal of devotion to the Lord. "O lord, may I worship you alone for bhakti yoga (apavargaya) as described in the fifth canto, birth after birth (bhava). There is no one other than you worthy of worship." The imperative case is used to express his request. With this intention he gives a description of the Lord. "Because of your supreme position, you are the cause of creation, maintenance and destruction of the universes, whereas others are not supreme. You are equipoised whereas others are disturbed. You are peaceful whereas all others are not peaceful. You are the friend of all whereas others are not benefactors. You are the supreme soul (atma daivam) whereas others are not paramatma, and consequently not brilliant (daivam). You are unique (ananya) whereas all others are not unique. But you are attached to your devotee. sadhavo hrdayam mahyam sadhunam hrdayam tvaham. You are one, whereas others are many. You are the shelter of the universe and the soul. whereas all others are not the shelter."

In this way we pray. Śiva lists the qualities by which the Lord should be merciful to Bāṇa. We worship you who are worthy of worship. “Do you worship me for material goals?” No, we worship you for bhakti, birth after birth (bhavāpavargāya). Apavarga can mean bhakti according to statements in the Fifth Canto. The reason is that you are attractive with qualities like mercy: you reveal yourself to the devotees or engage in pastimes with them (devam).

We worship you (tvā) without whose worship one must suffer in saṁsāra or who has inconceivable glories (tam). The glories are shown. You are the cause of creation, maintenance and destruction of the universe. This indicates that he is the supreme Lord. As the Lord you are equal to all (samam). You can be worshipped by all without considering qualification. Or you exist with Lakṣṁī (samam). You are affectionate to your devotees. If someone commits offense, she forgives. Why do you need assistance? You are devoid anger etc. or are free of all faults (praśāṇtam). Thus you are merciful without conditions (suhṛt). You are dear (ātma). You are the controller (daivam). These three indicate that you are to be served and worshipped. Or you are the worshippable deity (ātma-daivam) of those with pure hearts (suhṛt). You are served by the devotees. This is because you are one alone, the root of all, with no one greater or equal to you, without any obstacle: all jīvas and avatāras attain perfection of worship and all favorable results for worshipping you. Moreover you manifest yourself to the devotees (devam), or play with them. Or you are thus to be worshipped (devam). May we worship you for liberation of Vaikuṇṭha and the highest good (bhava), for the highest happiness. Or may we worship you for bhakti (apavarga) birth after birth (bhava).