Shloka 24
शिवलिङ्गमाहात्म्यवर्णनम्
Narration of the Greatness of the Śiva-liṅga
बिल्वेश्वरश्च विख्यातश्चान्धकेशस्तथैव च । यत्र वा ह्यन्धको दैत्यः शंकरेण हतः पुरा
bilveśvaraśca vikhyātaścāndhakeśastathaiva ca | yatra vā hyandhako daityaḥ śaṃkareṇa hataḥ purā
Bilveśvara is famed, and so too is Andhakeśa—the sacred place where, in ancient times, the demon Andhaka was slain by Śaṅkara (Lord Śiva).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Sthala Purana: The kṣetra is famed as Bilveśvara/Andhakeśa because it is the site where Śaṅkara destroyed the daitya Andhaka—an archetype of tamas, delusion, and violent appropriation—thereby restoring dharma.
Significance: Worship here is framed as victory over inner ‘Andhaka’ (blindness/avidyā), removal of obstacles, and protection; bilva-offering is especially meritorious.
Type: stotra
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It links a holy Śiva-kṣetra and its Liṅga-name to Śiva’s victory over adharma (Andhaka), teaching that remembrance and pilgrimage to such places strengthens bhakti and supports the soul’s movement toward Śiva’s grace (anugraha) and liberation.
By naming Bilveśvara/Andhakeśa, the text emphasizes Saguna Śiva worship through a specific Liṅga-kṣetra: devotees approach the transcendent (Nirguṇa) Lord through the manifest Liṅga-form tied to a sacred history (itihāsa) and divine act.
Offer bilva leaves to the Liṅga with the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), contemplating Śiva as the remover of inner darkness (andhatva) and the destroyer of demonic tendencies, while observing purity and devotion during darśana and pūjā.