Shloka 49
अत्रीश्वरमाहात्म्यवर्णनम् (Atrīśvara-māhātmya-varṇanam) — “Account of the Greatness of Atrīśvara”
महतां च स्वभावो हि परेषां हितमावहेत् । सुवर्णं चन्दनं चेक्षुरसस्तत्र निदर्शनम्
mahatāṃ ca svabhāvo hi pareṣāṃ hitamāvahet | suvarṇaṃ candanaṃ cekṣurasastatra nidarśanam
Indeed, the very nature of the great is to bring about the welfare of others. Gold, sandalwood, and sugarcane-juice are cited here as illustrations of this beneficent character.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: General dharma-teaching: the ‘mahat’ sustains the world by beneficence, paralleling Śiva’s sustaining function (sthiti) as Īśvara working through noble agents.
Significance: Encourages cultivation of sāttvika qualities; association with the great (sat-saṅga) is itself a purifier and stabilizer of dharma.
FAQs
It teaches that true greatness is recognized by spontaneous compassion—like noble substances that naturally give value and sweetness—reflecting the Shaiva ideal of becoming Shiva-like in beneficence while progressing toward moksha.
Linga-worship aims to transform the devotee’s character: through devotion to Saguna Shiva, one imbibes Shiva’s auspicious qualities (śivadharma), especially welfare for all beings, which is the hallmark of a mature bhakta.
Practice japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namah Shivaya) with a sankalpa for lokahita (the good of all), and pair it with simple seva—charity, kindness, and non-harm—as the lived expression of devotion.