Shloka 37
भैरवावतारवर्णनम् (Bhairavāvatāra-varṇanam) — “Description of the Descent/Manifestation of Bhairava”
प्रादुरासीत्ततो ज्योतिरुभयोरन्तरे महत् । पूरयन्निजया भासा द्यावाभूम्योर्यदन्तरम्
prādurāsīttato jyotirubhayorantare mahat | pūrayannijayā bhāsā dyāvābhūmyoryadantaram
ثمّ بين هذين الاثنين تجلّى نورٌ عظيمٌ فسيح، يملأ بضيائه الذاتي كلَّ الفضاء الكائن بين السماء والأرض.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purana to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava
Jyotirlinga: Somanātha
Sthala Purana: The self-manifesting column/orb of infinite light appears to resolve the contest of supremacy; this jyotis is later adored as the archetype of the jyotirliṅga—Śiva revealing Himself as beginningless and endless.
Significance: Darśana of the jyotirliṅga archetype: remembrance of Śiva as svayaṃjyotis; merit for removing pride and granting right knowledge.
Type: stotra
Offering: dipa
Cosmic Event: theophany of the infinite jyotis between heaven and earth
FAQs
It points to Shiva as the self-luminous, limitless Reality (Pati) whose radiance pervades the entire cosmos; the “great Light” signals the revelation of the Absolute that transcends ordinary dualities and becomes the focus of devotion and contemplation.
The manifestation of the immense Light is the scriptural basis for Jyotirlinga symbolism—Nirguna Shiva, beyond form, is approached through a sacred, perceivable sign (liṅga) that concentrates the devotee’s mind on the all-pervading divine presence.
Meditate on Shiva as inner Jyoti—steady attention at the heart or between the brows while repeating the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”; optionally accompany with Tripuṇḍra bhasma and Rudraksha as aids to recollection and purity.