Shloka 37

अवंतीस्थ-ब्राह्मणकथा तथा तृतीय-ज्योतिर्लिङ्गोपाख्यान-प्रस्तावना

Avanti Brahmin Narrative and Prelude to the Third Jyotirliṅga

Devanagari script

गर्तात्ततस्समुत्पन्नः शिवो विकटरूपधृक् । महाकाल इति ख्यातो दुष्टहंता सतां गतिः

Transliteration

gartāttatassamutpannaḥ śivo vikaṭarūpadhṛk | mahākāla iti khyāto duṣṭahaṃtā satāṃ gatiḥ

Translation

Then, from that pit, Śiva arose bearing a formidable form. He became renowned as Mahākāla—the slayer of the wicked and the refuge and final goal of the righteous.

Word by Word

गर्तात्from the pit

ततःthen, from there

समुत्पन्नःarisen, emerged

शिवःŚiva

विकटterrible, monstrous

रूपform

धृक्bearing, holding

विकटरूपधृक्bearing a terrible form

महाकालःMahākāla

इतिthus, as

ख्यातःknown, famed

दुष्टwicked

हंताslayer

दुष्टहंताslayer of the wicked

सताम्of the good (people)

गतिःrefuge, goal, way

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahākāla

Characters & Entities

Shiva

Mahakala

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It presents Śiva as Mahākāla—Time itself and the Lord beyond time—who manifests in a fierce, protective form to destroy adharma while remaining the ultimate refuge and destiny (gati) of the sādhus, pointing to liberation through His grace.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Mahākāla is a Saguna manifestation of Śiva: devotees approach the Linga as the accessible embodiment of the timeless Supreme, seeking protection from negativity and steady progress toward moksha through devotion and surrender.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Meditate on Mahākāla as the inner ruler of time while japa-ing the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”; worship the Śiva-liṅga with reverence, and adopt Shaiva marks like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder of impermanence and Śiva as the final refuge.