Shloka 15
Kedāreśvara-pratiṣṭhā: Nara-Nārāyaṇa’s Worship and Śiva’s Abiding as Jyoti
तद्रूपेण स्थितस्तत्र भक्तवत्सलनामभाक् । नयपाले शिरोभागो गतस्तद्रूपतः स्थितः
tadrūpeṇa sthitastatra bhaktavatsalanāmabhāk | nayapāle śirobhāgo gatastadrūpataḥ sthitaḥ
Dort in eben dieser Gestalt verweilend, wurde Śiva unter dem Namen „Bhaktavatsala“ bekannt, der zärtliche Liebende Seiner Verehrer. In derselben Gestalt gelangte auch ein Teil Seines Hauptes nach Nayapāla und blieb dort gegründet.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Jyotirlinga: Kedāranātha
Sthala Purana: Śiva, remaining in the buffalo-form episode, becomes famed as Bhaktavatsala (‘tender to devotees’). The narrative also localizes His presence: a portion of the head is said to have become established at a place called Nayapāla, reflecting the Kedāra region’s multi-site sacral geography.
Significance: Affirms that Śiva’s grace can ‘anchor’ in specific sthalas; devotees visit such sites to receive bhaktavātsalya—protective, intimate divine favor.
Type: stotra
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It highlights Śiva’s core Shaiva teaching that the Lord is Bhaktavatsala—He willingly abides in a manifest (saguṇa) form for the protection and uplift of devotees, making sacred places powerful through His presence.
By stating that Śiva “remained established” in a particular form at a place, the verse supports the Purāṇic idea that saguṇa manifestations—often worshiped as Liṅga or localized divine presence—are valid, grace-giving supports for devotion leading toward liberation.
Pilgrimage and steady bhakti: visit the sacred site with purity, worship Śiva with pañcākṣara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), and perform simple offerings (water, bilva) while meditating on Him as Bhaktavatsala.