Shloka 26
रावणस्य तपः-शिवानुग्रहः — Rāvaṇa’s Austerity and Śiva’s Bestowal of Grace
ऋषय ऊचुः । तस्मिंल्लिंगे स्थिते तत्र रावणे च गृहं गते । किं कि चरित्रमभूत्तात ततस्तद्वद विस्तरात्
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | tasmiṃlliṃge sthite tatra rāvaṇe ca gṛhaṃ gate | kiṃ ki caritramabhūttāta tatastadvada vistarāt
The sages said: “O dear one, when that Liṅga remained established there and Rāvaṇa had returned to his home, what events then took place? Tell us that account in detail.”
Sages of Naimisharanya (addressing Suta Goswami)
Tattva Level: pashu
Jyotirlinga: Vaidyanātha
Sthala Purana: The sages’ inquiry marks the transition from the Liṅga’s establishment to subsequent consequences—how the kṣetra’s presence affects devas, ṛṣis, and the asuric agent (Rāvaṇa).
Significance: Frames the kṣetra as a living narrative-field: pilgrims ‘enter’ the continuing līlā by hearing (śravaṇa) and remembering (smaraṇa) the māhātmya.
FAQs
It highlights the enduring sanctity of the established Liṅga: once Shiva’s symbol is rightly installed, its grace continues to unfold through subsequent events, drawing beings toward devotion and liberation.
The verse centers on the Liṅga ‘remaining there’—emphasizing Saguna Shiva worship through the consecrated emblem, where Shiva’s accessible presence supports bhakti, pilgrimage, and ongoing sacred narrative (māhātmya).
While no specific rite is prescribed in this line, the context supports steady Liṅga-upāsanā: daily abhiṣeka, japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and reverent remembrance of the site’s māhātmya.