Shloka 16
द्विजेश्वरावतारः
The Manifestation of Shiva as Dvijeśvara
तावदभ्येत्य शार्दूलस्त्वरमाणोतिमायिकः । स तस्य द्विजवर्य्यस्य मध्ये जग्राह तां वधूम्
tāvadabhyetya śārdūlastvaramāṇotimāyikaḥ | sa tasya dvijavaryyasya madhye jagrāha tāṃ vadhūm
Just then the tiger—swift and exceedingly deceptive—rushed in; and in the very midst of that excellent brāhmaṇa, he seized the bride.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
FAQs
The verse dramatizes how māyā (deceptive force) can strike suddenly and seize what one is attached to; Shaiva Siddhanta emphasizes turning from fear and possessiveness toward refuge in Pati (Lord Shiva), the Lord who alone overrules māyā.
Such episodes typically function as narrative pressure that drives devotees to seek Saguna Shiva’s grace—often through Linga-worship—recognizing that worldly safeguards may fail when māyā becomes intense.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and remembrance of Shiva as Pati, cultivating inner composure when sudden adversity or deception arises.