ओंकार-परमेश-लिङ्गकथा — The Narrative of the Oṃkāra Parameśa Liṅga
Gokarṇa–Vindhya Episode
एवं च समये देवा ऋपयश्चामलाशयाः । संपूज्य शंकरं तत्र स्थातव्यमिति चाबुवन्
evaṃ ca samaye devā ṛpayaścāmalāśayāḥ | saṃpūjya śaṃkaraṃ tatra sthātavyamiti cābuvan
At that very time, the gods and the sages—pure in heart—having duly worshipped Śaṅkara, declared, “Here itself we should remain.”
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: The verse signals a sacred ‘staying’ (sthāna) chosen by devas and ṛṣis after worship—typical of a kṣetra’s emergence where Śiva’s presence stabilizes the locale.
Significance: Establishes the idea that continued residence near Śiva’s presence (kṣetra-vāsa) and sustained pūjā supports purity of mind and divine protection.
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
It highlights that when Śiva is worshipped with a pure heart (amala-āśaya), devotion naturally ripens into steady abidance—remaining in the sacred presence of Pati (Śiva), which supports inner purification and liberation-oriented bhakti.
The verse reflects Saguna upāsanā: the devas and sages perform concrete worship of Śaṅkara and then choose to remain at that holy spot—mirroring Jyotirliṅga/tīrtha practice where devotees worship the Liṅga and stay near it to deepen devotion and receive grace.
A practical takeaway is tīrtha-vāsa after pūjā—staying near the shrine for japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), dhyāna on Śiva, and simple observances like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as supports for steadiness in worship.