Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 12
Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Meets Lord Śiva: Devotee as Living Tīrtha and the Lord’s Māyā
आत्मन्यपि शिवं प्राप्तं तडित्पिङ्गजटाधरम् । त्र्यक्षं दशभुजं प्रांशुमुद्यन्तमिव भास्करम् ॥ ११ ॥ व्याघ्रचर्माम्बरं शूलधनुरिष्वसिचर्मभि: । अक्षमालाडमरुककपालं परशुं सह ॥ १२ ॥ बिभ्राणं सहसा भातं विचक्ष्य हृदि विस्मित: । किमिदं कुत एवेति समाधेर्विरतो मुनि: ॥ १३ ॥
ātmany api śivaṁ prāptaṁ taḍit-piṅga-jaṭā-dharam try-akṣaṁ daśa-bhujaṁ prāṁśum udyantam iva bhāskaram
Śrī Mārkaṇḍeya saw Lord Śiva suddenly appear within his heart. Lord Śiva’s golden hair resembled lightning, and he had three eyes, ten arms and a tall body that shone like the rising sun. He wore a tiger skin, and he carried a trident, a bow, arrows, a sword and a shield, along with prayer beads, a ḍamaru drum, a skull and an ax. Astonished, the sage came out of his trance and thought, “Who is this, and where has he come from?”
FAQs
This verse lists Śiva’s distinctive emblems—trident, ḍamaru, skull, axe, and tiger-skin—presenting him as the powerful lord of ascetics and the divine protector who carries weapons and sacred insignia.
In this chapter’s vision, Śiva is revealed in a majestic, awe-inspiring form; the weapons signify his cosmic authority and protection, while the tiger-skin marks his renunciation and mastery over primal forces.
It encourages reverence for disciplined spirituality: cultivate steadiness (like a yogī), simplicity (renunciation), and inner strength to protect your values while remaining devoted.