ततः संचिंतयामास भूपालः किं महेश्वरः । सांनिध्यं निश्चलो भूत्वा लिंगेऽत्रैव करिष्यति
tataḥ saṃciṃtayāmāsa bhūpālaḥ kiṃ maheśvaraḥ | sāṃnidhyaṃ niścalo bhūtvā liṃge'traiva kariṣyati
Alors le roi songea : «Comment donc Maheśvara—devenant inébranlable—établira-t-Il Sa présence durable dans ce liṅga même, ici?»
Sūta (narrative voice; the thought belongs to the King)
Type: kshetra
Scene: The king stands before the newly prepared liṅga-seat, contemplative, hand to chin or in quiet añjali; the sanctum is still, lamps flicker; the question of presence hangs in the air.
Even sincere devotees may question how divine presence abides—scripture answers doubt with assurance and signs.
The liṅga-site of Acaleśvara in Nāgarakhaṇḍa where Śiva’s permanent presence is contemplated.
No new rite is prescribed; the verse frames the theological question of presence within the liṅga after consecration.