Shloka 38
शारभावतारवर्णनम्
Account of Śiva’s Śārabha Manifestation and the Measureless Avatāras
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति स्तुतस्तदा देवैश्शंकरो भक्तवत्सलः । प्रत्युवाच प्रसन्नात्माऽभयन्दत्त्वा परप्रभुः
nandīśvara uvāca | iti stutastadā devaiśśaṃkaro bhaktavatsalaḥ | pratyuvāca prasannātmā'bhayandattvā paraprabhuḥ
Nandīśvara said: Thus praised at that time by the gods, Śaṅkara—ever affectionate to His devotees—being inwardly pleased, the Supreme Lord replied, first granting them fearlessness.
Nandishvara (Nandi)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga origin; it highlights Śiva’s bhaktavātsalya and the granting of abhaya—core devotional theology often ritually mirrored in temple darśana (abhaya-mudrā).
Significance: Frames Śiva as immediately responsive to praise and surrender; ‘abhaya-dāna’ is a key spiritual fruit—inner fearlessness and protection.
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It highlights Shiva as bhaktavatsala—the Lord whose grace (anugraha) responds to sincere praise and devotion—granting abhaya (fearlessness), a key sign of divine protection and inner liberation from anxiety and bondage.
The verse portrays Saguna Shiva (Śaṅkara) as personally responsive: when devotees or the Devas praise Him, He grants refuge and reassurance. Linga-worship similarly approaches Shiva as accessible and compassionate, culminating in His protective grace.
Offer stuti (hymnic praise) with bhakti and then meditate on Shiva as the giver of abhaya; practically, one may chant the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” seeking inner fearlessness and steadiness of mind.