Shloka 28
नारीसन्देहभञ्जक-शम्भ्ववतारकथा
The Account of Śambhu’s Incarnation that Dispels Doubts Concerning Women
अनेन शिशुना श्रेयः प्राप्स्यसे न चिरात्परम् । पुष्णीहि सर्वथा ह्येनं महातेजस्विनं शिशुम्
anena śiśunā śreyaḥ prāpsyase na cirātparam | puṣṇīhi sarvathā hyenaṃ mahātejasvinaṃ śiśum
Through this child you will soon attain the highest good. Therefore, in every way nurture and protect this infant, for he is a child of great divine splendour.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shatarudra Samhita dialogue; the line is spoken by an elder/authority figure within the story, as relayed by Suta)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhikṣāṭana
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse functions as a prophetic assurance that contact with a divinely charged child becomes the occasion for śreyas (highest good), i.e., grace ripening through service.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse teaches that Śiva’s grace can manifest through a divinely empowered being, and that serving and protecting such a sacred trust becomes a direct cause of śreyas—worldly well-being and the highest spiritual good.
It reflects Saguna Śiva’s compassionate presence in the world: the Supreme can be approached through tangible forms—holy persons, sacred embodiments, and devotional service—just as the Liṅga provides an accessible focus for worship leading toward the Supreme.
The practical takeaway is sevā (reverent service) and rakṣaṇa (protection) offered with purity—supported by daily Śiva-smaraṇa, japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and sattvic discipline to preserve the divine purpose entrusted to one’s care.