Shloka 11
Harīśvara-liṅga Mahimā and the Origin-Context of Viṣṇu’s Sudarśana (हरिश्वरलिङ्गमहिमा तथा सुदर्शनप्राप्तिकथा)
विष्णुरप्यमराणां तु जयार्थमभजच्छिवम् । सर्वामराणामधिपं सर्वसाक्षिणमव्ययम्
viṣṇurapyamarāṇāṃ tu jayārthamabhajacchivam | sarvāmarāṇāmadhipaṃ sarvasākṣiṇamavyayam
Even Viṣṇu, for the sake of victory for the gods, worshipped Śiva—the Lord of all the devas, the Witness of all, the imperishable One.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; it explicitly proclaims Śiva as sarvāmarāṇām adhipa (overlord of all devas) and sarvasākṣin (inner witness), aligning with Siddhānta’s Pati as transcendent yet immanent.
Significance: Contemplation of Śiva as the imperishable Witness strengthens vairāgya and bhakti; victory is framed as a fruit of Śiva’s grace rather than mere power.
Type: stotra
FAQs
The verse teaches that Śiva is the imperishable Supreme (Avyaya) and the inner Witness of all (Sarvasākṣī); therefore, even exalted deities seek success by taking refuge in Śiva-bhakti, affirming Śiva as Pati—the ultimate Lord and support of all.
By showing Viṣṇu worshipping Śiva for divine victory, the text endorses Saguna worship—approaching Śiva through accessible forms such as the Śiva-liṅga and sacred rites—while pointing to Śiva’s higher nature as the all-pervading Witness beyond change.
A practical takeaway is to perform Śiva-upāsanā for protection and success—especially japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with devotion, along with traditional Śaiva supports like vibhūti (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa where appropriate.