Shloka 66
Andhakeśvara-liṅga Māhātmya and Śiva’s Subjugation of Andhaka (अन्धकेश्वरलिङ्गमाहात्म्य तथा अन्धकवध-प्रसङ्ग)
अन्यथायं ध्वजो मे हि रात्रावपि स्थिरो भवेत् । इत्युक्त्वान्तर्हितश्शंभू राज्ञे तुष्टः कृपानिधिः
anyathāyaṃ dhvajo me hi rātrāvapi sthiro bhavet | ityuktvāntarhitaśśaṃbhū rājñe tuṣṭaḥ kṛpānidhiḥ
“Otherwise, indeed, this banner of mine would remain steady even through the night.” Having spoken thus, Śambhu—the treasure-house of compassion—being pleased with the king, became invisible (and withdrew).
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kotirudra Samhita account to the sages, quoting the event involving Shiva and the king)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse highlights Śiva as kṛpānidhi (the treasury of compassion): when devotion and sincerity are present, the Lord responds with grace, then withdraws—teaching that divine help may be subtle and not always outwardly visible, yet it stabilizes the devotee’s path.
Śambhu’s personal action (speaking, being pleased, disappearing) reflects Saguna Śiva—God with attributes—who responds to a devotee/king in lived history. Such episodes support Linga-worship by showing the Lord as accessible through devotion, vows, and sacred observances associated with Kotirudra’s Jyotirlinga traditions.
A practical takeaway is steadfast night-long devotion (jāgaraṇa) with focused remembrance of Śiva—supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—seeking inner steadiness rather than mere external signs.