Shloka 26
द्वादशज्योतिर्लिङ्गावतारकथनम्
Account of the Twelve Jyotirliṅga Manifestations
अस्य खण्डस्य स स्वामी सर्वेशोपि विशेषतः । सर्वकामप्रदस्तात सोवतारश्शिवस्य वै
asya khaṇḍasya sa svāmī sarveśopi viśeṣataḥ | sarvakāmapradastāta sovatāraśśivasya vai
He is the presiding Lord of this section, indeed the Supreme Lord in a special sense. O dear one, he is the bestower of all desired aims—truly an incarnation (avatāra) of Lord Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Jyotirlinga: Kedāranātha
Sthala Purana: The verse universalizes Kedāreśvara: he is ‘svāmī’ of the khaṇḍa and ‘Sarveśa’ in a special sense—framing the kṣetra-deity as a localized epiphany of the universal Pati.
Significance: Affirms the Siddhāntic principle that the temple/kṣetra deity is not a mere symbol but Śiva himself, capable of granting puruṣārthas; also hints that boons are subordinate to Śiva’s lordship.
FAQs
The verse asserts that the featured divine figure is not merely a local deity but a special manifestation of Pati (Śiva), capable of granting both worldly aims and, through devotion, the higher good of liberation.
By calling him an avatāra of Śiva and ‘lord of this section,’ the text legitimizes Saguna worship—approaching Śiva through a manifested form—while implying that the power behind such worship is Śiva himself, the source of all grace.
A practical takeaway is focused bhakti to Śiva in his manifested form—supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and simple Śiva-pūjā (water/bael offering), seeking grace rather than mere acquisition.