Shloka 9
Harīśvara-liṅga Mahimā and the Origin-Context of Viṣṇu’s Sudarśana (हरिश्वरलिङ्गमहिमा तथा सुदर्शनप्राप्तिकथा)
विष्णुरुवाच । करिष्यामि च वः कार्य्यमाराध्य गिरिशं सुराः । बलिष्ठाश्शत्रवो ह्येते विजेतव्याः प्रयत्नतः
viṣṇuruvāca | kariṣyāmi ca vaḥ kāryyamārādhya giriśaṃ surāḥ | baliṣṭhāśśatravo hyete vijetavyāḥ prayatnataḥ
Viṣṇu said: “O gods, I shall accomplish your purpose by worshipping Girīśa (Lord Śiva). For these enemies are exceedingly powerful; therefore they must be conquered with steadfast effort.”
Lord Vishnu
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse frames Śiva as the decisive refuge for devas facing overpowering foes, a common Purāṇic motif of Śiva’s grace enabling victory.
Significance: General teaching: success over formidable obstacles is sought through Śiva-ārādhana coupled with prayatna (steadfast effort).
FAQs
The verse presents Śiva as the ultimate refuge and empowering Lord (Pati): even divine powers seek success by Śiva-ārādhana, showing that victory over strong inner and outer foes arises through devotion and grace supported by disciplined effort.
By stating that the devas’ objective will be fulfilled through worship of Girīśa, it points to Saguna Śiva worship—classically expressed through Liṅga-ārādhana—where concentrated devotion invites Śiva’s anugraha (grace) to remove obstacles and grant triumph.
The takeaway is Śiva-ārādhana with sustained prayatna: daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), Liṅga-pūjā with water and bilva leaves, and (where appropriate) Tripuṇḍra-bhasma and Rudrākṣa as supports for steady, victory-oriented sādhana.