Shloka 49
भैरवावतारलीलावर्णनम् (Bhairava-avatāra-līlā-varṇanam) — “Narration of the Divine Play of Bhairava’s Descent”
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचः शंभो भैरवस्य परात्मनः । सुप्रसन्नतरो भूत्वा समवोचन्महेश्वरम्
nandīśvara uvāca | ityākarṇya vacaḥ śaṃbho bhairavasya parātmanaḥ | suprasannataro bhūtvā samavocanmaheśvaram
Nandīśvara said: Having thus heard the words of Bhairava—the Supreme Self—Śambhu became even more gracious, and then addressed Maheśvara.
Nandishvara (Nandi)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Kālabhairava
Significance: Highlights Bhairava as parātman and Śiva’s responsive grace: hearing (śravaṇa) of truth intensifies prasāda, a key Siddhānta soteriological step toward anugraha.
Type: stotra
FAQs
The verse highlights Shiva’s anugraha (grace): when the Supreme (Bhairava/Parātman) is truly heard and understood, the Lord becomes “more gracious,” indicating that receptivity to divine truth ripens into blessings and spiritual uplift.
By naming Bhairava, Śambhu, and Maheśvara, the text affirms Saguna Shiva’s many sacred forms. Linga-worship similarly approaches the One Lord through a chosen form, while recognizing that the same Shiva is the supreme reality behind all names and manifestations.
The key practice implied is śravaṇa and mananā—reverent listening and inner reflection on Shiva’s teaching—supported by steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to cultivate the grace-filled state indicated by “suprasanna.”