Shloka 20
रावणस्य तपः-शिवानुग्रहः — Rāvaṇa’s Austerity and Śiva’s Bestowal of Grace
वैद्यनाथेश्वरं नाम्ना तल्लिंगमभवन्मुने । प्रसिद्धं त्रिषु लोकेषु भुक्तिमुक्तिप्रदं सताम्
vaidyanātheśvaraṃ nāmnā talliṃgamabhavanmune | prasiddhaṃ triṣu lokeṣu bhuktimuktipradaṃ satām
O sage, that Liṅga came to be known by the name Vaidyanātheśvara. Renowned in the three worlds, it bestows both worldly enjoyment and liberation upon the righteous devotees.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Jyotirlinga: Vaidyanatha
Sthala Purana: In the Rāvaṇa-episode of the Jyotirliṅga cycle, Śiva manifests/abides as Vaidyanātheśvara (“Lord as Divine Physician”), becoming famed as a bestower of both bhukti (worldly welfare) and mukti (liberation) for the sādhus; the epithet frames Śiva as the healer who removes the soul’s mala (impurity) and pāpa (sin).
Significance: Darśana and sevā are praised as granting bhukti and culminating in mukti; in Śaiva Siddhānta terms, this maps to gradual purification (mala-kṣaya) and ripening toward Śiva’s anugraha.
FAQs
It declares Vaidyanātheśvara as a universally renowned Jyotirliṅga whose grace grants both bhukti (rightful well-being in life) and mukti (liberation), showing Shiva as compassionate healer of both worldly and spiritual suffering.
By naming the Liṅga as Vaidyanātheśvara, the verse emphasizes Saguna Shiva worship through a consecrated form, where devotion to the Liṅga becomes a direct means to receive Shiva’s blessings culminating in liberation.
Pilgrimage and regular Liṅga-pūjā to Vaidyanātheśvara with devotion—especially japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—is the implied takeaway for attaining both prosperity and liberation.