Shloka 60
आश्वास्य तौ महादेवः प्रीतः प्रणतवत्सलः । प्राह स्वां मूर्तिमपरां भैरवन्तं कपर्दिनम्
āśvāsya tau mahādevaḥ prītaḥ praṇatavatsalaḥ | prāha svāṃ mūrtimaparāṃ bhairavantaṃ kapardinam
Having comforted those two, Mahādeva—pleased and ever tender toward those who bow in surrender—spoke of His other manifested form: Bhairava, the Lord with matted hair.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Jyotirlinga: Mahākāleśvara
Sthala Purana: Mahākāla/Bhairava is closely tied to Ujjayinī where Śiva is worshiped as Mahākāleśvara; Bhairava functions as kṣetrapāla (guardian) and time-transcending protector, resonating with the verse’s introduction of Bhairava as a manifested form.
Significance: Invokes the protective, fear-dispelling aspect of Śiva; devotion to Bhairava/Mahākāla is traditionally sought for removal of भय (fear), obstacles, and for steadfastness in sādhana.
Mantra: आश्वास्य तौ महादेवः प्रीतः प्रणतवत्सलः । प्राह स्वां मूर्तिमपरां भैरवन्तं कपर्दिनम्
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Kālī
Role: destructive
Offering: dipa
FAQs
It highlights Śiva’s grace (anugraha): He is especially compassionate to those who surrender, and He reveals His protective, manifest form (Bhairava) to guide and safeguard devotees.
Bhairava is a Saguna (manifest) expression of the same Supreme Śiva worshipped as the Liṅga; the verse emphasizes that the formless reality can be approached through compassionate forms that respond to devotion.
The takeaway is śaraṇāgati (surrender) with Bhakti—supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and protective remembrance of Śiva’s fierce-guardian aspect as Bhairava.