Shloka 6
महाबलमाहात्म्यवर्णनम् (Mahābala Māhātmya-varṇanam) — “Account of the Greatness of Mahābala (and Western Sacred Liṅgas)”
बहुनात्र किमुक्तेन गोकर्णस्थानि सर्वशः । शिवप्रत्यक्षलिंगानि तीर्थान्यम्भांसि सर्वशः
bahunātra kimuktena gokarṇasthāni sarvaśaḥ | śivapratyakṣaliṃgāni tīrthānyambhāṃsi sarvaśaḥ
What is the use of saying much here? Everywhere in Gokarṇa there are sacred sites—manifest Liṅgas of Śiva, visible directly—along with tīrthas, holy fords, and sanctifying waters in every direction.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kotirudrasaṃhitā to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Gokarṇa is praised as a kṣetra where Śiva is ‘pratyakṣa’—experienced as immediately present through numerous self-manifest liṅgas and tīrthas; the verse functions as a kṣetra-māhātmya summary rather than a single-liṅga origin episode.
Significance: Darśana of ‘pratyakṣa-liṅgas’ and snāna at multiple tīrthas is presented as broadly purifying and merit-bestowing, supporting pāśa-kṣaya (loosening of bondage) through kṣetra-sevā.
FAQs
It proclaims Gokarṇa as pervaded by Śiva’s immediate presence—where darśana of Liṅgas, tīrthas, and sacred waters becomes a direct aid to purification and devotion leading toward liberation.
By calling the Liṅgas “pratyakṣa” (directly manifest), the verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva worship through tangible symbols—Liṅga-darśana and reverence at holy sites—while pointing to Śiva’s all-pervading reality behind them.
Perform tīrtha-snāna (ritual bathing), offer water to the Liṅga (jala-abhisheka), and contemplate Śiva’s presence in the kṣetra while repeating the Pañcākṣarī mantra, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”