Shloka 29

Viśvānara-Gṛhapati Upākhyāna — Śivasya Agni-gṛhe Avatāraḥ

The Account of Viśvānara Gṛhapati and Śiva’s Descent into the House of Fire

Devanagari script

वीरेश्वरम्महालिंगमब्दमभ्यर्च्य भक्तितः । आयुर्मनोरथं सर्वं पुत्रादिकमनेकशः

Transliteration

vīreśvarammahāliṃgamabdamabhyarcya bhaktitaḥ | āyurmanorathaṃ sarvaṃ putrādikamanekaśaḥ

Translation

Worshipping with devotion the great Liṅga known as Vīreśvara for a full year, one attains long life, the fulfillment of all cherished aims, and manifold blessings such as sons and other prosperities.

Word by Word

• वीरेश्वरम्: Vīreśvara
• वीरेश्वरम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: वीरेश्वर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—वीर + ईश्वर (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः)

• महालिङ्गम्: the great liṅga
• महालिङ्गम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महालिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—महा + लिङ्ग (कर्मधारयः)

• अब्दम्: for a year
• अब्दम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: अब्द (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• अभ्यर्च्य: having worshipped
• अभ्यर्च्य: Kriya (क्रिया)
• Type: Verb
• Root: अभि + अर्च् (धातु)
• Form: क्त्वान्त-अव्यय (Gerund/Absolutive); उपसर्ग ‘अभि’ + धातु ‘अर्च्’ (to worship)

• भक्तितः: with devotion
• भक्तितः: Hetu (हेतु)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: भक्ति (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: तसिल्-प्रत्ययान्त अव्यय (ablatival adverb) ‘भक्तितः’ = भक्त्या/भक्त्या सह; ‘out of devotion/devotionally’

• आयुः: life-span
• आयुः: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: आयुस् (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• मनोरथम्: heart’s desire
• मनोरथम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: मनोरथ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—मनस् + रथ (षष्ठी-तत्पुरुषः)

• सर्वम्: all
• सर्वम्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: सर्व (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषण

• पुत्रादिकम्: sons and the like
• पुत्रादिकम्: Karma (कर्म)
• Type: Noun
• Root: पुत्रादि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—पुत्र + आदि (तत्पुरुषः; ‘beginning with sons’)

• अनेकशः: in many ways
• अनेकशः: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: अनेकशस् (अव्यय)
• Form: अव्यय; प्रकारवाचक क्रियाविशेषण (adverb) ‘in many ways/many times’

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: The māhātmya frames Vīreśvara as a boon-giving liṅga: year-long devoted worship yields āyus, iṣṭa-siddhi, and progeny—typical kṣetra-phala teaching meant to anchor sustained vrata at the site.

Significance: Encourages abhyarcana for one year as a vrata: promises longevity, fulfillment of aims, and family prosperity—seen as both worldly (abhyudaya) and preparatory for higher siddhi.

Shakti Dimension

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva

FAQs

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

It teaches that sustained, year-long bhakti to Śiva in the Liṅga-form purifies the devotee and brings both worldly well-being (āyuḥ, progeny) and the inner fulfillment of rightful aims under Śiva’s grace.

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

Vīreśvara is approached as Saguna Śiva through the Mahāliṅga, a concrete focus for devotion; consistent worship channels the devotee’s mind toward Pati (Śiva), loosening bonds (pāśa) through disciplined reverence.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Regular, devoted Liṅga-pūjā maintained for a year—ideally with mantra-japa (such as the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and steady daily observance—emphasizing continuity and sincerity of bhakti.