Shloka 27
Andhakeśvara-liṅga Māhātmya and Śiva’s Subjugation of Andhaka (अन्धकेश्वरलिङ्गमाहात्म्य तथा अन्धकवध-प्रसङ्ग)
पूजां कृत्वा गतस्सोऽपि सुदर्शन इति स्मृतः । स्त्रीसंगं शिवरात्रौ तुं कृत्वा पुनरिहागतः
pūjāṃ kṛtvā gatasso'pi sudarśana iti smṛtaḥ | strīsaṃgaṃ śivarātrau tuṃ kṛtvā punarihāgataḥ
Having performed the worship, he too departed and came to be remembered by the name Sudarśana. But after indulging in intercourse with a woman on the night of Śivarātri, he returned again to this worldly state.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Sthala Purana: The verse functions as a cautionary Śivarātri-māhātmya: even after pūjā and spiritual ‘departure’ (merit/uttama-gati), violation of the night’s restraint (brahmacarya/indriya-nigraha) triggers a fall back into saṃsāra.
Significance: Teaches pilgrims that vrata is not only presence at a shrine but integrity of conduct; Śivarātri is a test of restraint and vigilance.
Offering: dipa
FAQs
It teaches that Śivarātri worship can elevate a devotee, but breaking the vow through sensual indulgence—especially on the sacred night—pulls the mind back into bondage, delaying liberation.
Śivarātri is a prime time for Saguna worship of Lord Śiva as the Liṅga; the verse underscores that outer pūjā must be supported by inner discipline (niyama), otherwise the fruit of Liṅga-worship is diminished.
Observe Śivarātri with restraint (brahmacarya), night-vigil (jāgaraṇa), mantra-japa such as the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and focused Liṅga-pūjā, avoiding sense-indulgence during the vrata.