Shloka 4
कामदाहोत्तरवृत्तान्तः / Aftermath of Kāma’s Burning
Pārvatī’s Fear and Himavān’s Consolation
ब्रह्मोवाच । शृणु तात महाप्राज्ञ चरितं शशिमौलिनः । महोतिकारकस्यैव स्वामिनो मम चादरात्
brahmovāca | śṛṇu tāta mahāprājña caritaṃ śaśimaulinaḥ | mahotikārakasyaiva svāmino mama cādarāt
Brahmā said: “Listen, dear child—O greatly wise one—to the sacred account of the Moon-crested Lord (Śiva). Out of reverence for that great benefactor—my own Master as well—I narrate it with devotion.”
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Jyotirlinga: Somanātha
Sthala Purana: The epithet “Moon-crested” (śaśimauli) recalls Śiva’s grace to Soma/Chandra—restoring the waning moon—central to the Somnāth tradition of Śiva as the healer of decline and giver of renewal.
Significance: Darśana of the Moon-crested Lord is sought for relief from afflictions, restoration of vitality, and steadiness of mind (candra-doṣa śamana) through Śiva’s anugraha.
Type: stotra
FAQs
It establishes śravaṇa (reverent listening) of Śiva’s līlā/charita as a devotional gateway to grace, presenting Śiva as the supreme benefactor and master even of Brahmā—aligning with Shaiva Siddhanta’s emphasis on the Lord (Pati) as the source of liberation.
By naming Śiva as “Śaśimaulin” (Moon-crested), the verse points to Saguna Shiva—worshipped through form, names, and sacred narratives. Such remembrance naturally supports Linga-upāsanā, where the devotee approaches the Lord through accessible symbols and praises.
The direct practice is śravaṇa and smaraṇa: listen to Śiva’s deeds with reverence and contemplate them. As a simple accompaniment, one may mentally repeat the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) while listening to the कथा to steady devotion.