Shloka 54
Kāmarūpeśvara’s Trial and Śiva’s Hidden Protection (कামरूपेश्वर-रक्षा-प्रसङ्गः)
सूत उवाच । इत्येवं प्रार्थितश्शम्भुर्लोकानां हितकारकः । तत्रैवास्थितवान्प्रीत्या स्वतन्त्रो भक्तवत्सलः
sūta uvāca | ityevaṃ prārthitaśśambhurlokānāṃ hitakārakaḥ | tatraivāsthitavānprītyā svatantro bhaktavatsalaḥ
Sūta said: Thus entreated, Śambhu—ever intent on the welfare of the worlds—remained there itself with loving joy; though fully independent, He is tenderly devoted to His devotees.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Jyotirlinga: Bhīmaśaṃkara
Sthala Purana: Sūta concludes that Śambhu, though svatantra (absolutely free/sovereign), remains out of prīti (loving grace) due to bhakta-vātsalya; this ‘staying’ grounds the enduring sanctity of the Bhīmaśaṅkara Jyotirliṅga.
Significance: Highlights the theological heart of Jyotirliṅga pilgrimage: Śiva’s independence does not negate compassion; devotees access his abiding grace through darśana and worship at the kṣetra.
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It emphasizes Shiva as lokahitakara (welfare-giver) who freely chooses to remain near sincere devotees; His sovereignty (svatantratva) is expressed as grace, not distance.
In the Kotirudra context of sacred presence, it supports Saguna worship: when devotees pray, Shiva makes His presence accessible—often through a holy site or Linga—out of bhaktavatsalya.
The takeaway is heartfelt prārthanā with steady bhakti—supported by japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and simple daily Shiva-upāsanā (e.g., offering water, vibhūti/Tripuṇḍra), inviting Shiva’s abiding grace.