Shloka 40
अवधूतेश्वरलीला (Avadhūteśvara-līlā) — Śiva Tests Indra’s Pride on the Way to Kailāsa
बभूवुः सकला देवाः सुखिनश्चातिनिर्भयाः । गुरुशक्रौ भयान्मुक्तौ जग्मतुः सुखमुत्तमम्
babhūvuḥ sakalā devāḥ sukhinaścātinirbhayāḥ | guruśakrau bhayānmuktau jagmatuḥ sukhamuttamam
Then all the gods became joyful and utterly fearless. And Guru (Bṛhaspati) and Śakra (Indra), freed from fear, attained the highest bliss.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; it records the devas’ resultant fearlessness and happiness after Śiva’s intervention—an effect-fruit (phala) statement.
Significance: Soteriological hint: removal of fear (abhaya) and attainment of sukha are fruits of divine grace; models the pashu’s relief when pāśa (threat/bondage) is removed by Pati’s action.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse highlights Shiva’s anugraha (grace) as the power that dissolves bhaya (existential fear) and restores devas to sukha—pointing to the Shaiva Siddhanta view that true security and well-being arise from Pati (Shiva), not from worldly power.
In the Shiva Purana, relief from fear and the attainment of auspiciousness commonly follow turning toward Saguna Shiva—worship of Shiva as the compassionate Lord accessible through the Linga—showing that devotion and surrender culminate in protection and inner peace.
A practical takeaway is to seek fearlessness through Shiva-upasana: japa of the Panchakshara mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with steady bhakti; optionally supported by Tripundra (bhasma) and Rudraksha as aids to remembrance and discipline.