Shloka 2
Andhakeśvara-liṅga Māhātmya and Śiva’s Subjugation of Andhaka (अन्धकेश्वरलिङ्गमाहात्म्य तथा अन्धकवध-प्रसङ्ग)
ऋषय ऊचुः अन्धकेश्वरलिंगस्य महिमानं वद प्रभो । तथान्यच्छिवलिंगानां प्रीत्या वक्तुमिहार्हसि
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ andhakeśvaraliṃgasya mahimānaṃ vada prabho | tathānyacchivaliṃgānāṃ prītyā vaktumihārhasi
The sages said: “O Lord, please proclaim the greatness of the Andhakeśvara Liṅga. And, out of gracious favor, speak here also of the glory of the other Śiva Liṅgas.”
Sages (Ṛṣis) addressing Sūta Gosvāmin in the Naimiṣāraṇya dialogue frame
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Request for Andhakeśvara-liṅga māhātmya: a kṣetra-liṅga associated with the Andhaka episode; sages also ask for other liṅga glories, foreshadowing a catalog of sacred liṅgas.
Significance: Hearing/reciting liṅga-māhātmya is itself treated as a merit-bearing act that inspires pilgrimage and liṅga-sevā.
FAQs
It establishes the seeker’s attitude of śraddhā and inquiry: the sages request the “mahimā” (saving glory) of the Liṅga, presenting Liṅga-worship as a direct means to receive Śiva’s grace and progress toward mokṣa.
By asking specifically about the Andhakeśvara Liṅga and then “other Śiva Liṅgas,” the verse frames the Liṅga as Śiva’s accessible, saguna form for devotion—through which the nirguna Lord is approached via reverent worship and pilgrimage.
The takeaway is attentive listening to Liṅga-māhātmya and engaging in Liṅga-bhakti—especially abhiṣeka with mantra-japa (commonly the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as taught throughout Śaiva devotional practice.