Shloka 38
शारभावतारवर्णनम्
Account of Śiva’s Śārabha Manifestation and the Measureless Avatāras
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति स्तुतस्तदा देवैश्शंकरो भक्तवत्सलः । प्रत्युवाच प्रसन्नात्माऽभयन्दत्त्वा परप्रभुः
nandīśvara uvāca | iti stutastadā devaiśśaṃkaro bhaktavatsalaḥ | pratyuvāca prasannātmā'bhayandattvā paraprabhuḥ
Nandīśvara sprach: Als Śaṅkara damals von den Göttern so gepriesen wurde, der den Bhaktas stets zugetan ist, antwortete der höchste Herr, innerlich erfreut, nachdem er ihnen zuerst Furchtlosigkeit gewährt hatte.
Nandishvara (Nandi)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga origin; it highlights Śiva’s bhaktavātsalya and the granting of abhaya—core devotional theology often ritually mirrored in temple darśana (abhaya-mudrā).
Significance: Frames Śiva as immediately responsive to praise and surrender; ‘abhaya-dāna’ is a key spiritual fruit—inner fearlessness and protection.
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It highlights Shiva as bhaktavatsala—the Lord whose grace (anugraha) responds to sincere praise and devotion—granting abhaya (fearlessness), a key sign of divine protection and inner liberation from anxiety and bondage.
The verse portrays Saguna Shiva (Śaṅkara) as personally responsive: when devotees or the Devas praise Him, He grants refuge and reassurance. Linga-worship similarly approaches Shiva as accessible and compassionate, culminating in His protective grace.
Offer stuti (hymnic praise) with bhakti and then meditate on Shiva as the giver of abhaya; practically, one may chant the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” seeking inner fearlessness and steadiness of mind.