Shloka 38
Andhakeśvara-liṅga Māhātmya and Śiva’s Subjugation of Andhaka (अन्धकेश्वरलिङ्गमाहात्म्य तथा अन्धकवध-प्रसङ्ग)
एवं तौ पितृपुत्रौ हि नानोपायैः सुभक्तितः । प्रसन्नां चक्रतुर्देवीं गिरिजां भक्तवत्सलाम्
evaṃ tau pitṛputrau hi nānopāyaiḥ subhaktitaḥ | prasannāṃ cakraturdevīṃ girijāṃ bhaktavatsalām
So machten jener Vater und Sohn durch verschiedene Mittel mit aufrichtiger Hingabe die Göttin Girijā, die ihren Verehrern stets zugetan ist, gnädig und zufrieden.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Not tied to a Jyotirliṅga; it summarizes the efficacy of devoted multi-method worship in pleasing Girijā, a template for pilgrimage and household devotion alike.
Significance: Emphasizes bhakti as the decisive factor: varied upāyas (means) culminate in Devī’s prasāda, understood as the operative face of divine grace that loosens pāśa and restores welfare.
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that divine grace (prasāda) arises from steady, sincere bhakti—devotion itself becomes the effective means by which the devotee wins the compassionate attention of Girijā, the Mother who responds to love and surrender.
In the Shiva Purana’s devotional frame, Saguna worship—approaching Shiva and his Shakti in accessible, compassionate forms—emphasizes pleasing the Deity through heartfelt practices; such devotion supports pilgrimage and Linga-worship themes prominent in the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā.
The verse highlights “various means” grounded in bhakti—practically expressed as japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), pūjā with purity and reverence, and devotional vows/observances (especially on Mahāśivarātri) to seek the Mother’s and Shiva’s grace.