Shloka 15
ज्योतिर्लिङ्ग-तदुपलिङ्ग-माहात्म्यवर्णनम्
Narration of the Greatness of the Jyotirliṅga and Associated Liṅgas
अनुग्रहाय लोकानां लिंगानि च महेश्वरः । दधाति विविधान्यत्र तीर्थे चान्यस्थले तथा
anugrahāya lokānāṃ liṃgāni ca maheśvaraḥ | dadhāti vividhānyatra tīrthe cānyasthale tathā
Out of compassion for the worlds, Maheshvara establishes diverse forms of the Śiva-liṅga—here in sacred pilgrimage places, and likewise in other locations—so that beings may receive His grace.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Establishment theology: Mahēśvara ‘places/establishes’ diverse liṅgas at tīrthas and elsewhere—explaining why some sites become major pilgrimage centers while others become local kṣetras through divine sanction.
Significance: Validates both pan-Indian tīrtha-yātrā and local village/household liṅga worship: grace is available through many ‘vividhāni’ supports.
Role: nurturing
Offering: dipa
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva’s liṅga is a grace-bestowing manifestation: by making Himself accessible in many places, especially tīrthas, the Lord enables embodied beings to approach Him through devotion and receive upliftment toward liberation.
The verse presents the liṅga as Śiva’s compassionate, worshipable form (saguṇa-upāsanā support) through which devotees can focus mind and heart; pilgrimage sites and local shrines alike become valid gateways to His presence.
A practical takeaway is liṅga-pūjā and tīrtha-yātrā: perform abhiṣeka (water, milk, etc.) with japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” cultivating devotion and surrender as the means to receive anugraha (grace).