Shloka 23
वीरभद्र-भैरव-आह्वानम् — Invocation of Vīrabhadra/Bhairava for Cosmic Reabsorption
यदर्थमवतारोऽयं निहतस्स हि दानवः । हिरण्यकशिपुश्चैव प्रह्लादोऽपि सुरक्षितः
yadarthamavatāro'yaṃ nihatassa hi dānavaḥ | hiraṇyakaśipuścaiva prahlādo'pi surakṣitaḥ
For the very purpose for which this divine descent occurred, that demon has indeed been slain; and Hiranyakashipu as well—while Prahlada too has been protected.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; it summarizes the avatāra’s telos: destruction of the demonic oppressor and protection of the devotee, a dharmic restoration narrative.
Significance: Hearing this episode is framed as reinforcing śaraṇāgati (refuge) and confidence in divine protection of bhaktas.
FAQs
It highlights the Purāṇic principle that divine descent restores dharma by destroying adharma and safeguarding the true devotee—showing that grace (anugraha) protects bhakti even amid extreme hostility.
Though the episode is framed through an avatāra narrative, the Śiva Purāṇa’s Shaiva lens emphasizes Saguna divine agency—God’s accessible form acting in the world to protect devotion, which aligns with Linga-worship as a concrete focus for surrender and divine protection.
The takeaway is steadfast bhakti and remembrance: daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with Tripuṇḍra-bhasma and Rudrāksha as supports for unwavering devotion and inner fearlessness.