Shloka 6
ब्राह्मणीमरणवर्णनम् (Account of the Brahmin Woman’s Death) — within Nandikeśvara-māhātmya
आर्तेश्वरसुनामा हि वर्तते पापहारकः । परमेश्वर इति ख्यातः सिंहेश्वर इति स्मृतः
ārteśvarasunāmā hi vartate pāpahārakaḥ | parameśvara iti khyātaḥ siṃheśvara iti smṛtaḥ
He is indeed renowned by the auspicious name Ārteśvara, the remover of sins. He is celebrated as Parameśvara (the Supreme Lord) and is also remembered as Siṃheśvara.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: The verse lists local liṅga-epithets: Ārteśvara (‘Lord of the distressed’), Parameśvara, and Siṃheśvara. The implied sthala-māhātmya is that darśana/āśraya of this Śiva-sthāna removes pāpa and grants refuge to the afflicted (ārta).
Significance: Darśana of the liṅga named Ārteśvara is presented as pāpa-haraṇa and ārtatrāṇa (succor to the distressed), aligning with the Purāṇic promise of kṣema and śānti through Śiva-sevā.
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse teaches that Shiva, established here as Ārteśvara, is pāpahāraka—by devotion and remembrance of Him as Parameśvara, the soul turns from impurity (mala/pāpa) toward grace and liberation, consistent with Shaiva Siddhanta’s emphasis on the Lord’s saving power.
It affirms Shiva’s Saguna accessibility through a specific Linga-shrine name (Ārteśvara/Siṃheśvara) while declaring His highest status as Parameśvara—showing that worship of the manifest Linga is worship of the Supreme Pati Himself.
The practical takeaway is nāma-smaraṇa (repetition of Shiva’s names) and Linga-pūjā with a repentant, devotional mind—especially suitable for pilgrimage worship and Mahāśivarātri observance as a sin-purifying discipline.