Shloka 73
Andhakeśvara-liṅga Māhātmya and Śiva’s Subjugation of Andhaka (अन्धकेश्वरलिङ्गमाहात्म्य तथा अन्धकवध-प्रसङ्ग)
तच्छ्रुत्वा नृपतिस्सोऽथ जनाश्चान्ये ऽपि सर्वशः । अभवन्विस्मितास्तत्र प्रशंसां चक्रिरे ततः
tacchrutvā nṛpatisso'tha janāścānye 'pi sarvaśaḥ | abhavanvismitāstatra praśaṃsāṃ cakrire tataḥ
Hearing that, the king—and all the other people as well—were utterly astonished. Thereupon, on that very spot, they began to offer words of praise.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: The disclosure transforms a feared omen into a devotional certainty; king and people respond with praise—typical closure in sthala narratives where recognition (pratyabhijñā-like in effect, though Siddhānta frames it as grace) follows divine sign.
Significance: Shows the proper fruit of witnessing Śiva’s līlā: vismaya leading to stuti; pilgrims are encouraged to convert astonishment into sustained devotion and dharmic action (dāna, pūjā).
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It highlights śravaṇa (devout hearing) as a catalyst for bhakti: when Shiva’s glory is heard, hearts naturally move into vismaya (sacred wonder) and stuti (praise), which purifies the mind and turns it toward Pati (Lord Shiva).
The verse shows the devotional sequence common in Linga worship—hearing the Lord’s līlā or māhātmya, becoming inwardly transformed, and expressing reverence through praise—supporting Saguna Shiva devotion that leads the devotee toward deeper realization.
A practical takeaway is to perform śravaṇa of Shiva Purana or Jyotirlinga māhātmya followed by stotra/stuti recitation (e.g., offering verbal praise), as a simple bhakti-sādhana; this can be paired with japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” where appropriate.