Shloka 17
Vṛṣeśākhya-Śivāvatāra and the Initiation of the Kṣīrasāgara-Manthana
Churning of the Milk Ocean
धन्वन्तरिः शशांकश्च पारिजातो महाद्रुमः । उच्चैश्श्रवाश्च तुरगो गज ऐरावतस्तथा
dhanvantariḥ śaśāṃkaśca pārijāto mahādrumaḥ | uccaiśśravāśca turago gaja airāvatastathā
Dhanvantari, the Moon, the Pārijāta—the great celestial tree—Uccaiḥśravas the horse, and likewise Airāvata the elephant: all these are counted among the divine manifestations spoken of here.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya, consistent with Purāṇic discourse style in the Śatarudrasaṃhitā)
Tattva Level: pasha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; it catalogs divine emergents (ratnas) from Samudra-manthana, illustrating the cosmos’ production of powers and resources.
Cosmic Event: Samudra-manthana: emergence of ratnas (divine treasures)
FAQs
The verse lists renowned divine excellences—healing (Dhanvantari), cool radiance (Moon), celestial abundance (Pārijāta), and sovereign power (Uccaiḥśravas, Airāvata)—implying that all auspicious forces in the cosmos are ultimately included within the Lord’s overarching divine manifestation and governance.
In Saguna worship, devotees recognize that every celebrated power and blessing in the world has its source in the Supreme Lord. Linga worship trains the mind to see these ‘separate’ glories as dependent on Shiva (Pati), rather than as independent objects of refuge.
A practical takeaway is to offer all sought blessings—health, prosperity, strength, and protection—back to Shiva through simple Linga-pūjā with Panchākṣarī japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), cultivating non-attachment to results while honoring Shiva as the giver of all boons.