Shloka 44

द्वादशज्योतिर्लिङ्गावतारकथनम्

Account of the Twelve Jyotirliṅga Manifestations

Devanagari script

लोकानामुपकारार्थं ज्योतिर्लिंगस्वरूपधृक् । सन्तस्थौ सांबिकश्शम्भुर्बहुलीलाकरः परः

Transliteration

lokānāmupakārārthaṃ jyotirliṃgasvarūpadhṛk | santasthau sāṃbikaśśambhurbahulīlākaraḥ paraḥ

Translation

For the welfare of all the worlds, the Supreme Śambhu—who bears the form of the Jyotirliṅga and is ever united with Ambikā—manifested and remained established, performing many divine līlās.

Word by Word

• लोकानाम्: of the worlds/people
• लोकानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: लोक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, षष्ठी-विभक्ति, बहुवचन

• उपकार-अर्थम्: for the sake of helping
• उपकार-अर्थम्: Prayojana (प्रयोजन/Purpose)
• Type: Noun
• Root: उपकार + अर्थ (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, द्वितीया-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (उपकारस्य अर्थः/हेतुः)

• ज्योतिः-लिङ्ग-स्वरूप-धृक्: bearing the form of the Jyotirliṅga
• ज्योतिः-लिङ्ग-स्वरूप-धृक्: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: ज्योतिस् + लिङ्ग + स्वरूप + धृ (धातु)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; कृदन्त—धृ धातोः क्विप्/क्विन् (धृक् = धारकः); समासः—बहुपद-तत्पुरुष (ज्योतिर्लिङ्गस्य स्वरूपं धारयन्)

• सन्तस्थौ: stood/abided
• सन्तस्थौ: Kriya (क्रिया/Main verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्+स्था (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), परस्मैपद; प्रथम-पुरुष, एकवचन

• साम्बिकः: Sāmbika (Śiva with Ambikā)
• साम्बिकः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: साम्बिक (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; विशेषणवत् नाम

• शम्भुः: Śambhu
• शम्भुः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject-apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शम्भु (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

• बहु-लीला-करः: performer of many divine plays
• बहु-लीला-करः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: बहु + लीला + कर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन; समासः—तत्पुरुष (बह्वीः लीलाः करोति)

• परः: supreme
• परः: Visheshana (विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: पर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा-विभक्ति, एकवचन

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Sadāśiva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: General Jyotirliṅga doctrine: Śambhu assumes the luminous liṅga-form for lokopakāra, abiding in sacred sites to grant darśana and liberation; here the emphasis is on Jyotirliṅga-svarūpa rather than a single named shrine.

Significance: Darśana of Jyotirliṅga as a direct conduit of anugraha: purification, removal of pāśa (bondage), and orientation of the paśu toward pati.

Mantra Metadata

Type: stotra

Shakti Dimension

Shakti Form: Pārvatī

Role: nurturing

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Parvati

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It presents the Jyotirliṅga as Śiva’s compassionate, accessible manifestation for the uplift of beings—transcendent (paraḥ) yet present in a worshippable form for the good of all worlds.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

By stating that Śiva ‘bears the form of the Jyotirliṅga,’ the verse affirms Saguna worship: the infinite Lord reveals Himself as the luminous Liṅga so devotees can approach, adore, and receive grace.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Jyotirliṅga-centered pūjā and dhyāna are implied—steady contemplation of Śiva as divine Light in the Liṅga, supported by mantra-japa such as the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”).