Shloka 49
अत्रीश्वरमाहात्म्यवर्णनम् (Atrīśvara-māhātmya-varṇanam) — “Account of the Greatness of Atrīśvara”
महतां च स्वभावो हि परेषां हितमावहेत् । सुवर्णं चन्दनं चेक्षुरसस्तत्र निदर्शनम्
mahatāṃ ca svabhāvo hi pareṣāṃ hitamāvahet | suvarṇaṃ candanaṃ cekṣurasastatra nidarśanam
En vérité, la nature des grands est d’apporter le bien aux autres. L’or, le santal et le jus de canne sont cités ici comme exemples de cette disposition bienfaisante.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: General dharma-teaching: the ‘mahat’ sustains the world by beneficence, paralleling Śiva’s sustaining function (sthiti) as Īśvara working through noble agents.
Significance: Encourages cultivation of sāttvika qualities; association with the great (sat-saṅga) is itself a purifier and stabilizer of dharma.
FAQs
It teaches that true greatness is recognized by spontaneous compassion—like noble substances that naturally give value and sweetness—reflecting the Shaiva ideal of becoming Shiva-like in beneficence while progressing toward moksha.
Linga-worship aims to transform the devotee’s character: through devotion to Saguna Shiva, one imbibes Shiva’s auspicious qualities (śivadharma), especially welfare for all beings, which is the hallmark of a mature bhakta.
Practice japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namah Shivaya) with a sankalpa for lokahita (the good of all), and pair it with simple seva—charity, kindness, and non-harm—as the lived expression of devotion.