Shloka 48
अवंतीस्थ-ब्राह्मणकथा तथा तृतीय-ज्योतिर्लिङ्गोपाख्यान-प्रस्तावना
Avanti Brahmin Narrative and Prelude to the Third Jyotirliṅga
सूत उवाच । इत्युक्तस्तैश्शिवस्तत्र तस्थौ गर्ते सुशोभने । भक्तानां चैव रक्षार्थं दत्त्वा तेभ्यश्च सद्गतिम्
sūta uvāca | ityuktastaiśśivastatra tasthau garte suśobhane | bhaktānāṃ caiva rakṣārthaṃ dattvā tebhyaśca sadgatim
Sūta said: Thus addressed by them, Lord Śiva remained there in that beautiful hollow to protect His devotees, and He granted them sadgati—the true auspicious goal.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
FAQs
The verse highlights Śiva as Pati—the supreme Lord who actively protects His bhaktas and bestows sadgati, the auspicious end that culminates in liberation through His grace.
Śiva ‘remaining there’ points to His compassionate, accessible Saguna presence—often expressed in Kotirudra contexts through sacred abodes and Liṅga manifestations—so devotees can take refuge and receive protection and spiritual fulfillment.
The takeaway is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) expressed through bhakti—regular worship of Śiva-liṅga with the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” accompanied by purity practices like bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa when appropriate.