Shloka 2
Harīśvara-liṅga Mahimā and the Origin-Context of Viṣṇu’s Sudarśana (हरिश्वरलिङ्गमहिमा तथा सुदर्शनप्राप्तिकथा)
ऋषय ऊचुः । सूत सर्वं विजानासि ततः पृच्छामहे वयम् । हरीश्वरस्य लिंगस्य महिमानं वद प्रभो
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | sūta sarvaṃ vijānāsi tataḥ pṛcchāmahe vayam | harīśvarasya liṃgasya mahimānaṃ vada prabho
The sages said: “O Sūta, you know all; therefore we ask you. O revered one, please describe the glory of the Liṅga of Harīśvara.”
The sages (ṛṣis) at Naimiṣāraṇya
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Introduces the Harīśvara-liṅga māhātmya: a liṅga associated with Hari (Viṣṇu) and Īśvara (Śiva), typically signifying harmony and Śiva’s supremacy through shared devotion.
Significance: Hearing the Harīśvara-liṅga’s glory is presented as a means to cultivate śiva-bhakti without sectarian antagonism, integrating Hari-bhakti into Śiva’s anugraha.
Role: teaching
FAQs
This verse establishes the proper scriptural method: sincere inquiry (jijñāsā) before sacred narration. By approaching Sūta—custodian of Purāṇic wisdom—the sages seek the Liṅga’s mahimā, affirming that grace and liberation are supported by hearing (śravaṇa) the greatness of Śiva’s sacred form.
By asking specifically about the ‘Liṅga of Harīśvara,’ the sages point to Saguna worship—Śiva made approachable through the Liṅga. In Shaiva Siddhānta, the Liṅga is a sanctified support for devotion and contemplation of Pati (Śiva), through which the devotee turns from bondage (pāśa) toward divine grace.
The immediate practice implied is śravaṇa and kīrtana—listening to and reciting the Liṅga’s glory with reverence. As a takeaway, one may pair this with Liṅga-pūjā and japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while contemplating Śiva as Harīśvara.