Shloka 18
शिवस्तुतिवर्णनम् (Śiva-stuti-varṇanam) — “Description of Hymns in Praise of Śiva”
दृष्टं श्रुतं स्तुतं सर्वं ज्ञायमानं जगद्गुरो । अणोरल्पतरं प्राहुर्महतोपि महत्तरम्
dṛṣṭaṃ śrutaṃ stutaṃ sarvaṃ jñāyamānaṃ jagadguro | aṇoralpataraṃ prāhurmahatopi mahattaram
O Jagadguru, all that is seen, heard, praised, and even known is but a small measure of You. The sages declare You subtler than the subtlest atom, and greater than even the greatest—transcending all limits of thought and speech.
A devotee/praiser addressing Lord Shiva (as Jagadguru) within the Yuddhakhaṇḍa narrative
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Teaches the limits of sensory/scriptural grasp (‘seen, heard, praised, known’) and points to direct realization; pilgrimage and praise are supports, not the measure of Śiva’s infinitude.
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches Shiva’s transcendence (Pati) over all knowable categories: He pervades what can be perceived and praised, yet ultimately exceeds it—guiding the seeker toward humility, devotion, and liberation-oriented knowledge.
The Linga is a Saguna support for worship that points to the Nirguna truth: Shiva cannot be contained by form, yet compassionately accepts form-based devotion so the mind may ascend from the seen and heard to the limitless Reality.
Japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with inward contemplation—visualizing Shiva as both infinitesimal and infinite—supports steadiness in dhyāna; offering bhasma/Tripuṇḍra and Rudrākṣa-japa may be aligned as devotional aids.