Shloka 41
Ghuśmā–Sudehā: Jealousy, Household Honor, and the Ethics of Śaiva Merit (गुश्मा–सुदेहा प्रसङ्गः)
सूत उवाच । इत्युक्तस्तु तया तत्र प्रसन्नोऽत्यभवत्पुनः । महेश्वरः कृपासिंधुः समूचे भक्तवत्सलः
sūta uvāca | ityuktastu tayā tatra prasanno'tyabhavatpunaḥ | maheśvaraḥ kṛpāsiṃdhuḥ samūce bhaktavatsalaḥ
Sūta said: Thus addressed by her there, Mahādeva again became exceedingly pleased—Mahēśvara, the ocean of compassion, and truly the affectionate guardian of His devotees.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Jyotirlinga: Ghṛṣṇeśvara
Sthala Purana: Sūta frames Śiva as ‘kṛpā-sindhu’ and ‘bhakta-vatsala’; this theological characterization is the narrative engine for the Jyotirliṅga’s establishment—Śiva becomes pleased by devotion and grants abiding presence for the welfare of beings.
Significance: Assurance that sincere bhakti evokes Śiva’s prasāda (grace), making the sthala a locus of anugraha and protection.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights Śiva as kṛpā-sindhu (an ocean of grace) who responds to sincere devotion; in Shaiva thought, His anugraha (bestowing grace) is the decisive force that ripens the soul toward liberation.
Calling Śiva “bhakta-vatsala” supports Saguna worship: through loving address, prayer, and Linga-sevā, the devotee experiences Śiva’s approachable, compassionate presence and receives His favor.
Offer heartfelt stuti and japa—especially the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—with simple Linga-pūjā (water, bilva leaves) as a direct way to please Mahēśvara.