Shloka 32
दिव्य-भवन-छत्र-निर्माणः तथा देवसमाह्वानम्
Divine Pavilion and Canopy; Summoning the Gods
सोपि विष्णुः प्रसन्नात्मा जुगोप निखिलं जगत् । नानावतारस्संधर्ता वनकर्ता शिवाज्ञया
sopi viṣṇuḥ prasannātmā jugopa nikhilaṃ jagat | nānāvatārassaṃdhartā vanakartā śivājñayā
That very Viṣṇu, serene and inwardly pleased, protected the entire world. Becoming the upholder through many incarnations, he carried out his appointed task in accordance with Śiva’s command.
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a jyotirliṅga episode; it articulates cosmic governance: Viṣṇu performs protection as an office under Śiva’s command.
Significance: Reinforces the Siddhānta view that worldly order (sthiti) is executed through delegated divine functions, culminating in turning the soul toward Śiva’s grace.
FAQs
It affirms Śiva as the supreme governor (Pati) whose command sustains cosmic order, while Viṣṇu functions as the protector through incarnations—showing coordinated divine roles under Śiva’s ordinance.
By stating that Viṣṇu acts ‘by Śiva’s command,’ the verse supports Saguna Śiva worship (including the Liṅga) as devotion to the supreme Lord who empowers and directs all divine functions in the manifest universe.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with contemplation of Śiva-ājñā—seeing one’s duties as offerings performed in alignment with Śiva’s will.