Shloka 2

Bhaimaśaṅkara-māhātmya: Śiva’s Descent in Kāmarūpa and the Rise of Bhīma

Devanagari script

कामरूपाभिधे देशे शंकरो लोककाम्यया । अवतीर्णः स्वयं साक्षात्कल्याणसुखभाजनम्

Transliteration

kāmarūpābhidhe deśe śaṃkaro lokakāmyayā | avatīrṇaḥ svayaṃ sākṣātkalyāṇasukhabhājanam

Translation

In the land called Kāmarūpa, Śaṅkara Himself—out of compassion for the world’s welfare and cherished aspirations—manifested directly, becoming the very abode of auspiciousness and bliss.

Word by Word

• कामरूप-अभिधे: in (the place) called Kāmarūpa
• कामरूप-अभिधे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: कामरूप (प्रातिपदिक) + अभिध (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, सप्तमीविभक्तिः (7th/Locative), एकवचनम्; विशेषणम्—‘अभिधे’ = ‘नाम्नि प्रसिद्धे’

• देशे: in the region
• देशे: अधिकरण (Adhikaraṇa/Locative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देश (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, सप्तमीविभक्तिः (7th/Locative), एकवचनम्

• शंकरः: Śaṅkara (Śiva)
• शंकरः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा-विभक्तिः (1st/Nominative), एकवचनम्

• लोक-काम्यया: for the world’s welfare (by the world’s desire)
• लोक-काम्यया: करण/हेतु (Karaṇa/Instrumental of cause)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक) + काम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्गे, तृतीया-विभक्तिः (3rd/Instrumental), एकवचनम्; हेत्वर्थे—‘लोकस्य काम्यया’ (for the sake of the world’s desire/welfare)

• अवतीर्णः: having descended
• अवतीर्णः: कर्ता (Kartā/Subject predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अव-तॄ (धातु)
• Form: क्त-प्रत्ययान्त कृदन्त (past passive participle); पुंलिङ्गे, प्रथमा, एकवचनम्; कर्तरि प्रयोगे—‘descended/manifested’

• स्वयम्: himself
• स्वयम्: विशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: स्वयम् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकार/स्वतन्त्रकर्तृबोधक (adverb: oneself)

• साक्षात्: directly, in person
• साक्षात्: विशेषण (Adverbial modifier)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: साक्षात् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अव्यय-विशेषणम् (adverb: directly, in person)

• कल्याण-सुख-भाजनम्: a receptacle of auspicious bliss
• कल्याण-सुख-भाजनम्: कर्म (Karma/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कल्याण (प्रातिपदिक) + सुख (प्रातिपदिक) + भाजन (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्गे, द्वितीया-विभक्तिः (2nd/Accusative), एकवचनम्; कर्म/विशेष्य—‘कल्याणसुखस्य भाजनम्’ (receptacle of auspicious happiness)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Bhīmaśaṃkara

Sthala Purana: Śiva ‘descends’ directly in the region associated here with Kāmarūpa, motivated by lokakāmyā—benevolent intent to secure the world’s welfare and fulfill rightful aspirations—thus establishing the shrine as an abode of kalyāṇa and sukha.

Significance: Frames the Jyotirliṅga as a compassionate self-manifestation (svayaṃ-sākṣāt) where devotees seek auspiciousness, relief, and fulfillment; theologically, it highlights grace as the cause of Śiva’s accessible presence.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It presents Śiva as Pati—the compassionate Lord who freely manifests in the world to grant kalyāṇa (spiritual welfare) and sukha (inner bliss), showing that divine grace can take a tangible, accessible form for devotees.

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

By stating that Śaṅkara “manifested directly,” the verse supports Saguna upāsanā—devotion to Śiva with form and presence—often centered on the Liṅga, through which devotees approach the transcendent Nirguṇa reality.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

A practical takeaway is Liṅga-pūjā with Panchākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), performed with bhakti for loka-kalyāṇa, seeking Śiva’s grace as the source of auspiciousness and bliss.