Shloka 7

अन्धक-प्रश्नः — Inquiry into Andhaka

Genealogy and Nature

Devanagari script

माहात्म्यमद्भुतं शंभोश्शरणागतरक्षिणः । सुभक्तवत्सलस्यैव नानालीलाविहारिणः

Transliteration

māhātmyamadbhutaṃ śaṃbhośśaraṇāgatarakṣiṇaḥ | subhaktavatsalasyaiva nānālīlāvihāriṇaḥ

Translation

Wondrous indeed is the glory of Śambhu—protector of those who take refuge in Him, ever tender toward His true devotees, and sporting in manifold divine līlās.

Word by Word

• माहात्म्यम्: greatness, glory
• माहात्म्यम्: Karma (कर्म/Object; understood 'वक्ष्यामि/कथयामि')
• Type: Noun
• Root: माहात्म्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया (1st/2nd), एकवचन; वाक्ये विषय/कर्मरूपेण संभवः

• अद्भुतम्: wonderful
• अद्भुतम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अद्भुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, प्रथमा/द्वितीया, एकवचन; माहात्म्यस्य विशेषणम्

• शंभोः: of Śambhu
• शंभोः: Shashthi-sambandha (षष्ठी-सम्बन्ध/Possessor)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंभु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन

• शरण-आगत-रक्षिणः: protector of those who come for refuge
• शरण-आगत-रक्षिणः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier of शंभोः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: शरण (प्रातिपदिक) + आगत (कृदन्त; आ+गम्) + रक्षिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः; अर्थः—शरणम् आगतान् रक्षति इति (protector of those who have sought refuge)

• सु-भक्त-वत्सलस्य: affectionate to good devotees
• सु-भक्त-वत्सलस्य: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier of शंभोः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सु (उपसर्ग/अव्यय-पूर्वपद) + भक्त (प्रातिपदिक) + वत्सल (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः; अर्थः—सुभक्तेषु वत्सलः

• एव: indeed
• एव: Nipata (निपात/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: एव (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; अवधारणार्थक-निपात (particle of emphasis)

• नाना-लीला-विहारिणः: who sports in many divine plays
• नाना-लीला-विहारिणः: Visheshana (विशेषण/Qualifier of शंभोः)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: नाना (अव्यय/प्रातिपदिक) + लीला (प्रातिपदिक) + विहारिन् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी, एकवचन; बहुपद-तत्पुरुषः; अर्थः—नानाविधासु लीलासु विहरति इति

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Significance: General tīrtha of śaraṇāgati: hearing/reciting Śiva’s refuge-protecting glory is presented as merit-bestowing and bhakti-enhancing (śiva-kathā-śravaṇa).

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Role: liberating

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

This verse highlights Śiva as Pati (the Lord) whose grace is especially accessible through śaraṇāgati (surrender). In Shaiva Siddhānta terms, the soul (paśu) bound by pāśa is safeguarded and uplifted when it turns wholeheartedly to the Lord; His “devotee-affection” signifies divine anugraha (saving grace).

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

By praising Śambhu as the refuge-protector and līlā-vihārī, the verse supports Saguna worship—approaching Śiva with form and qualities through the Liṅga, names, and stories. The Liṅga becomes the tangible focus for surrender and devotion, through which the devotee experiences His protective grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati expressed through bhakti: daily worship of Śiva (especially Liṅga-pūjā), japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and remembrance of His protective nature—cultivating trust that the Lord guards the surrendered devotee.