Shloka 1
Śiva-nāma-smaraṇa and Śambhu’s Protective Manifestation
Dāruka Episode
सूत उवाच । कदाचित्सेवकस्तस्य राक्षसस्य दुरात्मनः । तदग्रे सुंदरं रूपं शंकरस्य ददर्श ह
sūta uvāca | kadācitsevakastasya rākṣasasya durātmanaḥ | tadagre suṃdaraṃ rūpaṃ śaṃkarasya dadarśa ha
Sūta sprach: Einst erblickte ein Diener jenes bösherzigen Rākṣasa unmittelbar vor sich die schöne Gestalt Śaṅkaras (des Herrn Śiva).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Episode signals a direct darśana of Śaṅkara to a being connected with rākṣasas; not explicitly tied here to a named Jyotirliṅga in the given verse alone.
Significance: Darśana of Śiva’s ‘sundara rūpa’ is portrayed as a grace-event that can arise even in hostile/demonic contexts, underscoring Śiva’s sovereignty over all beings.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights Śiva’s anugraha (grace): even in a demonic environment, His auspicious presence can suddenly manifest, and mere darśana of Śaṅkara begins the turning of consciousness from impurity (mala) toward auspiciousness.
The verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva—His perceivable, beautiful form—showing that Śiva can be approached through form and presence (darśana), which complements Liṅga-worship where the same Pati (Lord) is revered as the sacred emblem revealing His nearness to devotees.
A practical takeaway is to seek Śiva-darśana through daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and purity practices like Tripuṇḍra-bhasma and Rudrākṣa, cultivating receptivity to Śiva’s grace.