Shloka 2

महाबलमाहात्म्यवर्णनम् (Mahābala Māhātmya-varṇanam) — “Account of the Greatness of Mahābala (and Western Sacred Liṅgas)”

Devanagari script

ब्रह्मविष्ण्वादिदेवानां शंकरो हित काम्यया । महाबलाभिधानेन देवः संनिहितस्सदा

Transliteration

brahmaviṣṇvādidevānāṃ śaṃkaro hita kāmyayā | mahābalābhidhānena devaḥ saṃnihitassadā

Translation

ブラフマー、ヴィシュヌ、そして他の神々の安寧のために、シャンカラは彼らの善を願い、「マハーバラ」と名づけられる神として、常にその地に臨在している。

Word by Word

• ब्रह्मविष्ण्वादिदेवानाम्: of the gods beginning with Brahmā and Viṣṇu
• ब्रह्मविष्ण्वादिदेवानाम्: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ब्रह्मविष्ण्वादिदेव (प्रातिपदिक; ब्रह्मन् + विष्णु + आदि + देव)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; षष्ठी (6th), बहुवचन; समासः (बहुपद) — ‘of the gods beginning with Brahmā and Viṣṇu’

• शंकरः: Śaṅkara
• शंकरः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: शंकर (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन

• हितम्: welfare
• हितम्: Karma (कर्म/Object)
• Type: Noun
• Root: हित (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; द्वितीया (2nd/द्वितीया), एकवचन; ‘हितम्’ = welfare (object of intention)

• काम्यया: with the desire (to do good)
• काम्यया: Hetu (हेतु/Motive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: काम्य (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन; साधन/हेतु-भाव (instrumental: ‘with the desire/for the sake of’)

• महाबलाभिधानेन: by the name ‘Mahābala’
• महाबलाभिधानेन: Karana (करण/Instrument)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाबलाभिधान (प्रातिपदिक; महाबल + अभिधान)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग; तृतीया (3rd), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष—‘by/with the appellation (name) Mahābala’

• देवः: the god
• देवः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject apposition)
• Type: Noun
• Root: देव (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; apposition to ‘शंकरः’

• संनिहितः: is present
• संनिहितः: Kriya (क्रिया/Predicate)
• Type: Verb
• Root: सम्-नि-धा (धातु) + क्त (कृदन्त)
• Form: भूतकर्मणि कृदन्त (past passive participle, क्त); पुंलिङ्ग; प्रथमा (1st), एकवचन; ‘present/nearby’

• सदा: always
• सदा: Kriya-visheshana (क्रियाविशेषण)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: सदा (अव्यय)
• Form: कालवाचक-अव्यय (adverb of time)

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Mahādeva

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Śaṅkara’s perpetual ‘sannidhi’ (abiding presence) at the site under the epithet Mahābala is explained as deva-hita (for the welfare of Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and other devas), portraying Śiva as the transcendent Lord who also becomes immanent for cosmic order and divine welfare.

Significance: Assures devotees that the kṣetra is a stable locus of Śiva’s grace (anugraha) and protection; emphasizes that even the highest devas seek Śiva’s beneficence, elevating the site’s authority and efficacy.

Ritual Elements

Offering: pushpa

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Brahma
• Vishnu

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It teaches that Śiva (Pati) abides compassionately in an accessible form (Saguna presence) for the welfare of all beings—even the devas—showing that divine grace is active, protective, and continuous.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

By naming Śiva as “Mahābala” who is ‘ever present,’ the verse supports Jyotirliṅga/Liṅga worship as a concrete locus where devotees approach the always-near Lord for protection, upliftment, and liberation.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Approach Mahābala Śiva with steady bhakti: perform Liṅga-abhiṣeka, chant the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and meditate on Śiva’s constant presence as the source of strength and welfare.