Shloka 23
अन्धक-प्रश्नः — Inquiry into Andhaka
Genealogy and Nature
गौर्य्युवाच । कोयं विरूपो भगवन्हि जातो नावग्रतो घोरभयंकरश्च । वदस्व सत्यं मम किं निमित्तं सृष्टोऽथ वा केन च कस्य पुत्रः
gauryyuvāca | koyaṃ virūpo bhagavanhi jāto nāvagrato ghorabhayaṃkaraśca | vadasva satyaṃ mama kiṃ nimittaṃ sṛṣṭo'tha vā kena ca kasya putraḥ
Gaurī said: “O Lord, who is this misshapen being that has come into existence—so dreadful and fearsome in appearance? Tell me the truth: for what purpose was he created? By whom was he produced, and whose son is he?”
Gaurī (Pārvatī)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Shakti Form: Gaurī
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse highlights discernment (viveka) in encountering frightening appearances: Gaurī seeks the true cause (nimitta) and parentage behind a form, pointing to the Shaiva view that even fearsome manifestations operate under divine order and purpose.
By asking “who created him, and whose son is he,” the verse turns attention from outer form to the governing Lord (Pati). In Linga-worship, devotees likewise look beyond appearances to the one Shiva-tattva that supports all manifested forms (saguṇa expressions) and their functions.
The practical takeaway is truth-seeking and steadiness: calm the mind, inquire into the divine purpose, and anchor attention in japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to move from fear to clarity and surrender.