Shloka 4
Anasūyā–Atri Tapas-Varṇana
Description of Anasūyā and Atri’s Austerities
प्रादुर्भूतः स्वयं देवो ह्यनावृष्ट्यामजीवयत् । स एव शंकरः साक्षादंशेन स्वयमेव हि
prādurbhūtaḥ svayaṃ devo hyanāvṛṣṭyāmajīvayat | sa eva śaṃkaraḥ sākṣādaṃśena svayameva hi
In that time of drought, the Lord Himself manifested and restored life to the beings. He alone is Śaṅkara in person—indeed, He Himself, even by a portion of His own power.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Śiva’s self-manifestation during anāvṛṣṭi (drought) to revive beings is a local theophany motif: the Lord appears to remove collective suffering, functioning as kṣetra-grace rather than a named jyotirliṅga episode in this verse alone.
Significance: Frames Śiva as Śaṅkara—beneficent savior in calamity—supporting faith that worship in crisis draws anugraha and restoration of life-force (prāṇa/āyuḥ).
Role: nurturing
Cosmic Event: anāvṛṣṭi (drought)
FAQs
It emphasizes Śiva as Pati (the supreme Lord) whose compassion (anugraha) directly sustains and revives beings; even a ‘portion’ of His power is sufficient to restore life and order.
By declaring that Śaṅkara appears ‘in person,’ it supports Saguna worship—Śiva becomes approachable through manifest forms (including the Linga), where devotees receive protection and grace in times of crisis.
In calamity or inner ‘drought,’ take refuge in Śiva through japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), and perform simple Śiva-upāsanā such as offering water to the Linga with remembrance of Śaṅkara as the reviver of life.