Shloka 38
वीरभद्र-भैरव-आह्वानम् — Invocation of Vīrabhadra/Bhairava for Cosmic Reabsorption
तवान्योन्यावताराणि कानि शेषाणि साम्प्रतम् । कृतानि येन केनैव कथाशेषो भविष्यति
tavānyonyāvatārāṇi kāni śeṣāṇi sāmpratam | kṛtāni yena kenaiva kathāśeṣo bhaviṣyati
Which of Your further incarnations still remain to be described at present? And by whom were the ones already accomplished performed—so that the remaining portion of this sacred narrative may proceed?
The sages at Naimiṣāraṇya (addressing Sūta Gosvāmin)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse shows the devotee–listener’s longing to hear the full account of Shiva’s manifest forms (saguṇa avatāras), affirming that the Lord’s descents are many and are revealed through sacred narration that nourishes bhakti and right understanding.
By asking about Shiva’s remaining incarnations, the text highlights how the formless (nirguṇa) Lord becomes approachable through forms and deeds (saguṇa). Such narratives support Linga-worship by directing the mind from stories and forms toward the one Shiva who is present in the Linga as the abiding Reality.
The immediate practice implied is śravaṇa (devotional listening) and manana (reflection) on Shiva-kathā; one may pair it with japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to internalize the teaching while hearing or reciting the Purāṇic account.