Shloka 58
Andhakeśvara-liṅga Māhātmya and Śiva’s Subjugation of Andhaka (अन्धकेश्वरलिङ्गमाहात्म्य तथा अन्धकवध-प्रसङ्ग)
शिवयोः कृपया सर्वे विस्तारं बहुधा गताः । तेषां च प्रथमा पूजा महापूजा महात्मनः
śivayoḥ kṛpayā sarve vistāraṃ bahudhā gatāḥ | teṣāṃ ca prathamā pūjā mahāpūjā mahātmanaḥ
シヴァと聖なる伴侶ガウリーの慈悲深き恩寵によって、これらの神聖なる顕現は多様なかたちで広く स्थापितされた。その中で最も第一の礼拝は、大いなる御心をもつ主への「大供養」（マハープージャー）である。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: General purāṇic framing: the many manifestations/establishments of Śiva-worship (liṅga, mūrti, kṣetra, vrata, pūjā-vidhi) are said to spread in the world through the compassionate grace (kṛpā/anugraha) of Śiva together with His Consort; among all rites, Mahāpūjā is declared foremost.
Significance: Establishes hierarchy of worship: prioritizing Śiva’s principal pūjā is taught as the most efficacious entry-point to auspiciousness and spiritual fruition (śiva-anugraha).
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Gaurī
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse emphasizes that the spread and accessibility of Shiva’s sacred forms and worship arise from divine grace (anugraha). In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, it is Pati’s compassion—along with Shakti—that makes the path of devotion and liberation practicable for bound souls (paśu).
In the Kotirudra context (Jyotirlinga-centered pilgrimage and worship), “expansion in many ways” points to Shiva’s saguna accessibility through consecrated forms such as the Linga. The verse ranks the Lord’s worship as supreme, supporting Linga-puja as a primary, grace-bestowing means to approach the transcendent (nirguna) Shiva.
The takeaway is to prioritize Mahāpūjā—formal, wholehearted Shiva worship—supported by core Shaiva observances: chanting the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), offering water/bilva to the Linga, and maintaining purity with bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as aids to devotion and remembrance.