Shloka 15
Viśveśvara-māhātmya and the Nirguṇa–Saguṇa Emergence of Śiva (Śakti–Puruṣa/Prakṛti Discourse)
जलौघे प्लाव्यमाना सा पंचक्रोशी यदाभवत । निर्गुणेन शिवेनाशु त्रिशूलेन धृता तदा
jalaughe plāvyamānā sā paṃcakrośī yadābhavata | nirguṇena śivenāśu triśūlena dhṛtā tadā
When the sacred Pañcakrośī region was being swept away by a torrent of waters, then Nirguṇa Śiva swiftly held it aloft upon His trident (triśūla), protecting it.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: The Pañcakrośī (Kāśī’s sacred circuit) is threatened by flood; Śiva, described as nirguṇa, upholds and preserves it on His triśūla—mythically explaining the kṣetra’s inviolability and enduring sanctity.
Significance: Undertaking the Pañcakrośī-yātrā is held to confer profound merit and purification; the verse grounds that merit in Śiva’s direct protective act over the kṣetra.
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
Cosmic Event: flood/inundation threatening the sacred geography
FAQs
It proclaims Shiva as Pati—the supreme protector—who preserves the liberating sacred field (kshetra) even amid cosmic disruption, indicating that moksha-granting grace is upheld by Shiva’s sovereign power.
Though Shiva is named here as Nirguṇa (beyond qualities), His protection is revealed through an accessible sign (the Triśūla), showing how the transcendent Lord is approached through saguna symbols and kshetra-worship, including Linga devotion.
Contemplate Shiva as the inner support (ādhāra) while doing japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and, if observing kshetra-mahātmya, perform a Pañcakrośī yātrā or circumambulation with steady remembrance of Shiva’s protecting presence.