Shloka 5
शिवलिङ्गमाहात्म्यवर्णनम्
Narration of the Greatness of the Śiva-liṅga
वर्तते गण्डकीतीरे बटुकेश्वर एव सः । पूरेश्वर इति ख्यातः फल्गुतीरे सुखप्रदः
vartate gaṇḍakītīre baṭukeśvara eva saḥ | pūreśvara iti khyātaḥ phalgutīre sukhapradaḥ
He indeed abides on the bank of the Gaṇḍakī as Baṭukeśvara; and on the bank of the Phalgu He is renowned as Pūreśvara, bestower of well-being and happiness.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Kālabhairava
Sthala Purana: A kṣetra-listing verse: Śiva is worshipped as Baṭukeśvara on the Gaṇḍakī’s bank and as Pūreśvara on the Phalgu’s bank, highlighting multiple localized manifestations and their phala (sukha-prada).
Significance: Riverbank liṅgas integrate snāna, tarpaṇa, and liṅgārcana; Pūreśvara at Phalgu (Gayā region) suggests a kṣetra where welfare (sukha) and ritual efficacy are sought; Baṭukeśvara implies protective guardianship and removal of obstacles.
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse teaches that Shiva compassionately manifests in specific tīrthas under particular names, making grace accessible through darśana, worship, and remembrance; such sacred geography supports the devotee’s purification and inner well-being on the path to liberation.
By naming Baṭukeśvara and Pūreśvara at distinct riverbanks, the text highlights Saguna Shiva—Shiva with approachable attributes—worshiped through the linga/temple presence at tīrthas, where devotion and ritual become concrete means to receive Shiva’s anugraha (grace).
Perform linga-pūjā at the tīrtha with water/ablutions, offer bilva leaves, and practice japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” contemplating Shiva as the sukhaprada (giver of welfare) who removes bondage and grants auspiciousness.