Shloka 20
युद्धप्रस्थान-वर्णनम्
Departure to the Battlefield and the Śaiva Overlordship over the Devas
अतिसौरभ्यमम्लानं बहुवर्षच्युतं तथा । अन्वीक्ष्य च तयोः कृत्यं भगवान्परमेश्वरः
atisaurabhyamamlānaṃ bahuvarṣacyutaṃ tathā | anvīkṣya ca tayoḥ kṛtyaṃ bhagavānparameśvaraḥ
Seeing that it was exceedingly fragrant, never withering, and as though fallen after many years, the Blessed Supreme Lord, Parameśvara, carefully observed the act performed by those two.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava
Sthala Purana: Parameśvara’s ‘anvīkṣaṇa’ (careful observing) of Brahmā and Viṣṇu’s acts frames the liṅga not merely as a cosmic phenomenon but as a moral-theological tribunal where Śiva judges and later grants grace according to truth and humility.
Significance: Encourages pilgrims to approach liṅga-darśana with inner integrity; Śiva is depicted as sākṣin (witness) of intention behind acts, not merely external ritual.
Offering: pushpa
Cosmic Event: Divine witnessing (sākṣitva) within the Liṅgodbhava līlā—Śiva’s concealment continues while he assesses the contenders’ conduct.
FAQs
It shows Parameśvara as the all-knowing witness who examines the devotee’s inner sincerity; the unfading fragrance symbolizes devotion that is pure, steady, and not subject to worldly decay.
In Linga-worship, Shiva receives offerings not merely as objects but as expressions of bhakti; the verse highlights Saguna Shiva’s compassionate attention to the devotee’s act while remaining the supreme, transcendent Pati.
Offer simple, pure, and fresh substances to the Shiva Linga with focused attention and mental purity, while repeating the Panchākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and cultivating unwavering devotion.