Shloka 5
शिवलिङ्गमाहात्म्यवर्णनम्
Narration of the Greatness of the Śiva-liṅga
वर्तते गण्डकीतीरे बटुकेश्वर एव सः । पूरेश्वर इति ख्यातः फल्गुतीरे सुखप्रदः
vartate gaṇḍakītīre baṭukeśvara eva saḥ | pūreśvara iti khyātaḥ phalgutīre sukhapradaḥ
Wahrlich, am Ufer der Gaṇḍakī weilt Er als Baṭukeśvara. Und am Ufer der Phalgu ist Er als Pūreśvara bekannt, der Wohlergehen und Glück spendet.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Kālabhairava
Sthala Purana: A kṣetra-listing verse: Śiva is worshipped as Baṭukeśvara on the Gaṇḍakī’s bank and as Pūreśvara on the Phalgu’s bank, highlighting multiple localized manifestations and their phala (sukha-prada).
Significance: Riverbank liṅgas integrate snāna, tarpaṇa, and liṅgārcana; Pūreśvara at Phalgu (Gayā region) suggests a kṣetra where welfare (sukha) and ritual efficacy are sought; Baṭukeśvara implies protective guardianship and removal of obstacles.
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse teaches that Shiva compassionately manifests in specific tīrthas under particular names, making grace accessible through darśana, worship, and remembrance; such sacred geography supports the devotee’s purification and inner well-being on the path to liberation.
By naming Baṭukeśvara and Pūreśvara at distinct riverbanks, the text highlights Saguna Shiva—Shiva with approachable attributes—worshiped through the linga/temple presence at tīrthas, where devotion and ritual become concrete means to receive Shiva’s anugraha (grace).
Perform linga-pūjā at the tīrtha with water/ablutions, offer bilva leaves, and practice japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” contemplating Shiva as the sukhaprada (giver of welfare) who removes bondage and grants auspiciousness.