Shloka 32
गिरिजाया तपोऽनुज्ञा
Permission for Girijā’s Austerities
हरशून्योऽथ ददृशे स प्रस्थो हिमभूभृतः । काल्या तत्रेत्य भोस्तात पार्वत्या जगदम्बया
haraśūnyo'tha dadṛśe sa prastho himabhūbhṛtaḥ | kālyā tatretya bhostāta pārvatyā jagadambayā
Then that Himalayan plateau was seen to be bereft of Hara (Śiva). There Kālikā spoke: “O dear one, here it is,” as Pārvatī—the Mother of the universe—looked on and responded in that moment.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Purāṇic account to the sages, with the verse reporting Kālikā’s utterance in-scene)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: The narrative notes the plateau appearing ‘Hara-less’ (Śiva not manifest/absent to sight) and introduces Kālikā’s speech in the scene—suggesting a liminal tīrtha-space where divine presence is concealed and then disclosed through guidance.
Significance: Teaches that perceived absence of Śiva can be a mode of tirodhāna (concealment) that intensifies longing and ripens the seeker for anugraha.
Shakti Form: Kālī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights the felt “absence” of Hara as a devotional and yogic tension: the jīva experiences separation until Pati (Śiva) is realized again through grace and steadfast bhakti, with Jagadambā (Pārvatī) embodying the soul’s unwavering pursuit of union.
Seeing a place as “Hara-less” underscores that sacredness is fulfilled when Śiva is invoked and installed in worship—classically through liṅga-upāsanā and saguna contemplation—so the devotee transforms perceived emptiness into presence by pūjā, mantra, and inner remembrance.
A practical takeaway is mantra-smaraṇa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) during times of separation, supported by simple Śiva-pūjā (water/bilva offering) and dhyāna on Śiva-Śakti unity.