Shloka 23
नारीसन्देहभञ्जक-शम्भ्ववतारकथा
The Account of Śambhu’s Incarnation that Dispels Doubts Concerning Women
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इति संचिन्त्यमानायां तस्यां विप्रवरस्त्रियाम् । कृपां चकार महतीं शंकरो भक्तवत्सल
nandīśvara uvāca | iti saṃcintyamānāyāṃ tasyāṃ vipravarastriyām | kṛpāṃ cakāra mahatīṃ śaṃkaro bhaktavatsala
Nandīśvara said: As that noble brāhmaṇa lady thus pondered within herself, Śaṅkara—ever tender toward His devotees—bestowed great compassion upon her.
Nandīśvara (Nandin), narrating the event and praising Śiva’s grace
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: General Purāṇic pattern: when a devotee is inwardly troubled (saṃdeha), Śaṅkara responds with anugraha, often by appearing in a humble guise to test and then uplift.
Significance: Highlights bhaktavātsalya as a soteriological assurance: sincere inner turning draws Śiva’s grace that loosens pāśa and clarifies right knowledge.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights Śiva as Bhaktavatsala—Pati (the Lord) who responds to sincere inner turning (saṃcintana) with anugraha (grace), indicating that liberation is ultimately fulfilled by divine compassion, not mere effort alone.
By naming Śaṅkara as “bhaktavatsala,” the verse points to Saguna Śiva who compassionately engages with devotees in the world—an attitude central to Linga worship where the devotee approaches Śiva as present, responsive, and gracious.
The implied practice is heartfelt contemplation and surrender—remembering Śiva with devotion (often supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and trusting in His anugraha as the decisive aid in overcoming suffering.