Shloka 64
Andhakeśvara-liṅga Māhātmya and Śiva’s Subjugation of Andhaka (अन्धकेश्वरलिङ्गमाहात्म्य तथा अन्धकवध-प्रसङ्ग)
ध्वज एकश्च तद्राज्ञे दत्तस्तुष्टेन शंभुना । प्रोक्तश्च कृपया राजा देवदेवेन तेन सः
dhvaja ekaśca tadrājñe dattastuṣṭena śaṃbhunā | proktaśca kṛpayā rājā devadevena tena saḥ
Pleased, Śambhu granted a single sacred banner (dhvaja) to that king; and, out of compassion, that Deva of devas also addressed the king with gracious words.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kotirudrasaṃhitā account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode here; the verse depicts Śiva’s royal anugraha through a dhvaja (standard) as a sign of divine sanction and completion of a rite.
Significance: General: receiving Śiva’s prasāda-signs is framed as assurance of siddhi and protection for the devotee/king.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse highlights Śiva’s kṛpā (compassionate grace): when devotion matures, the Lord not only bestows an outer sign of protection and authority (the dhvaja) but also gives inner guidance through his words—pointing the seeker toward dharma and liberation under the Lord’s lordship (Pati).
The dhvaja functions like a Saguna emblem—an accessible, visible sign of Śiva’s presence and favor. In Linga-worship, devotees similarly honor tangible symbols (liṅga, bilva, vibhūti, rudrākṣa) as gateways to the transcendent Nirguṇa reality, receiving instruction and upliftment through devotion.
A practical takeaway is to honor Śiva’s sacred symbols with reverence and to seek his upadeśa (guidance): perform daily Śiva-pūjā with the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and cultivate humility so that grace (kṛpā) becomes the basis for right action and inner steadiness.