Shloka 27
भैरवावतारलीलावर्णनम् (Bhairava-avatāra-līlā-varṇanam) — “Narration of the Divine Play of Bhairava’s Descent”
विष्णुरुवाच । यथेच्छसि तथा क्रीड सर्वविघ्नोपनोदक । मायया मां महादेव नाच्छादयितुमर्हसि
viṣṇuruvāca | yathecchasi tathā krīḍa sarvavighnopanodaka | māyayā māṃ mahādeva nācchādayitumarhasi
Viṣṇu said: “Sport as You wish, O remover of all obstacles. Yet, O Mahādeva, You should not veil me with Your māyā.”
Vishnu
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse highlights Śiva as the supreme remover of obstacles and acknowledges his līlā, while also pointing to māyā as a real veiling power that can obscure even exalted beings—implying liberation comes through Śiva’s grace rather than mere cosmic status.
Calling Śiva “Mahādeva” and “remover of obstacles” supports Saguna worship—approaching Śiva as the gracious Lord who dispels impediments. In Linga worship, the devotee seeks the Lord’s anugraha (saving grace) to pierce māyā’s concealment and realize the truth the Linga signifies.
A practical takeaway is to pray for the removal of inner obstacles (vighna) through Śiva-japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—and to cultivate humility, recognizing māyā’s power and seeking Śiva’s protection and clarity.