Shloka 25

शिवलिङ्गमाहात्म्यवर्णनम्

Narration of the Greatness of the Śiva-liṅga

Devanagari script

अयं स्वरूपमंशेन धृत्वा शंभुः पुनः स्थितः । शरणेश्वरविख्यातो लोकानां सुखदः सदा

Transliteration

ayaṃ svarūpamaṃśena dhṛtvā śaṃbhuḥ punaḥ sthitaḥ | śaraṇeśvaravikhyāto lokānāṃ sukhadaḥ sadā

Translation

Assuming a portion of His own divine form, Śambhu (Lord Śiva) manifested and remained there again. Celebrated as Śaraṇeśvara, He is forever the giver of well-being and happiness to the worlds.

Word by Word

• अयम्: this (he)
• अयम्: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: idam (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; सर्वनाम

• स्वरूपम्: (his) own form
• स्वरूपम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: svarūpa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd), एकवचन

• अंशेन: by a portion, partly
• अंशेन: Karana (करण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: aṃśa (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; करण/प्रकारे (by a portion/partly)

• धृत्वा: having assumed, having taken on
• धृत्वा: Purvakala-kriya (पूर्वकालक्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √dhṛ (धृ) + धृत्वा (क्त्वान्त)
• Form: क्त्वान्त अव्ययकृदन्त (absolutive/gerund); पूर्वकालिक क्रिया (having assumed/borne)

• शंभुः: Śambhu (Śiva)
• शंभुः: Karta (कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṃbhu (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन

• पुनः: again
• पुनः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: punaḥ (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; पुनरावृत्त्यर्थक क्रियाविशेषण (again)

• स्थितः: stood, remained
• स्थितः: Kriya (क्रिया/भाव)
• Type: Verb
• Root: √sthā (स्था) + स्थित (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकृदन्त; पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; शंभुः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्; अर्थः—स्थितवान्/अवस्थितः (stood/remained)

• शरणेश्वरविख्यातः: renowned as Śaraṇeśvara
• शरणेश्वरविख्यातः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शरण-ईश्वर-विख्यात (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (शरणेश्वर इति नाम्ना विख्यातः) ; शंभुः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• लोकानाम्: of the worlds/people
• लोकानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/षष्ठी)
• Type: Noun
• Root: loka (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन

• सुखदः: giver of happiness
• सुखदः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: sukha-da (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुषः (सुखं ददाति) ; शंभुः इत्यस्य विशेषणम्

• सदा: always
• सदा: Desha-Kala (देश-काल/काल)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: sadā (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; नित्यत्ववाचक क्रियाविशेषण (always)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadashiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: After the episode, Śambhu ‘abides again’ by assuming an aṃśa (partial manifestation) of his svarūpa, becoming established as Śaraṇeśvara—‘Lord of Refuge’—for the welfare of the worlds.

Significance: Emphasizes śaraṇāgati (taking refuge): darśana is portrayed as granting protection, peace, and sustained well-being; a kṣetra for seekers of assurance and grace.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: dipa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that Śiva, out of compassion, manifests in an accessible form (aṁśa) so beings can take refuge in Him; as Śaraṇeśvara He protects and grants both worldly well-being and the path toward liberation through surrender and devotion.

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

By saying Śiva ‘assumed a portion of His form’ and became renowned in a specific place/name, the verse supports Saguna worship—Śiva making Himself present for devotees, classically approached through Liṅga worship and pilgrimage themes emphasized in the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Practice śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) with bhakti: daily Liṅga-abhiṣeka, japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and prayer to Śaraṇeśvara for protection and inner peace, especially on Mahāśivarātri.