Shloka 52
अवंतीस्थ-ब्राह्मणकथा तथा तृतीय-ज्योतिर्लिङ्गोपाख्यान-प्रस्तावना
Avanti Brahmin Narrative and Prelude to the Third Jyotirliṅga
एतत्सर्वं समाख्यातं महाकालस्य सुव्रताः । समुद्भवश्च माहात्म्यं किमन्यच्छ्रोतुमिच्छथ
etatsarvaṃ samākhyātaṃ mahākālasya suvratāḥ | samudbhavaśca māhātmyaṃ kimanyacchrotumicchatha
O you of noble vows, I have thus fully narrated everything—both the manifestation and the glory of Mahākāla. What else do you wish to hear?
Suta Goswami
Jyotirlinga: Mahākāleśvara
Sthala Purana: A narrative closure: Sūta declares the samudbhava (manifestation/origin account) and māhātmya of Mahākāla complete, inviting further inquiry—typical Purāṇic transition into the next topic.
Significance: Encourages śravaṇa (hearing) of kṣetra-māhātmya as a devotional act that itself is meritorious and devotion-enhancing.
FAQs
The verse marks the completion of the Mahākāla narrative—his manifestation and māhātmya—signaling that Shiva’s grace is accessible through hearing (śravaṇa) and reverent inquiry, a key Shaiva Siddhānta emphasis on devotion supported by right understanding.
By summarizing Mahākāla’s “origin and glory,” it frames the Jyotirlinga as Saguna Shiva’s merciful, worship-worthy presence—an embodied focus through which devotees approach the transcendent (beyond time) Lord who appears as the Lord of Time.
It highlights śravaṇa and manana (hearing and contemplation) of Jyotirlinga māhātmya; devotees may pair this with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and simple Linga-pūjā as the practical takeaway.