Shloka 38
अत्रीश्वरमाहात्म्यवर्णनम् (Atrīśvara-māhātmya-varṇanam) — “Account of the Greatness of Atrīśvara”
ततस्सोवाच तां गंगा गम्यते स्वस्थलं मया । इत्युक्ते च पुनः साध्वी तामुवाच सरिद्वराम्
tatassovāca tāṃ gaṃgā gamyate svasthalaṃ mayā | ityukte ca punaḥ sādhvī tāmuvāca saridvarām
Then he said to the Gaṅgā: “I shall go to my own proper abode.” After he had spoken thus, the virtuous lady again addressed that best of rivers.
Suta Goswami (narrating the dialogue; the direct speech is by an unnamed male figure, followed by a virtuous woman addressing Gaṅgā)
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: A departure motif: the devotee intends to return to his own abode, while the sacred river is entreated to remain—typical of tīrtha-stability legends where a moving divinity is requested to localize for devotees’ benefit.
Significance: Frames the river as a living deity whose presence can be ‘fixed’ by devotion, enabling ongoing purification and access to grace for future pilgrims.
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights tīrtha-māhātmya: a holy river like Gaṅgā is approached with reverence, and even departures or transitions are framed as returning to one’s rightful place—an attitude of inner order (dharma) that supports Shaiva devotion and purification.
In the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā, sacred geography supports Saguna Shiva worship—pilgrimage, river sanctity, and ritual purity become aids for approaching the Jyotirlinga with bhakti, preparing the devotee for Shiva’s grace (anugraha).
A practical takeaway is tīrtha-snāna (ritual bathing) with mantra-japa—especially Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya)—and prayerful intention before and after pilgrimage movements, maintaining purity of mind and conduct.