एकोनविंशतिशिवावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Nineteen Manifestations/Avatāras of Śiva
तदाप्यहं भविष्यामि योगात्मा योगमायया । लोकविस्मापनार्थाय ब्रह्मचारिशरीरकः
tadāpyahaṃ bhaviṣyāmi yogātmā yogamāyayā | lokavismāpanārthāya brahmacāriśarīrakaḥ
「その時でさえ、我がヨーガマーヤーによって、我はヨーガそのものの自己として顕れ、世界を惑わし(真の神意を覆い隠す)ために、梵行者(ブラフマチャーリン)の身を取る。」
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: Tirodhāna via Yogamāyā: deliberate concealment to regulate adhikāra and karmic unfolding
It teaches that Shiva, though transcendent, freely assumes a Saguna form through Yogamāyā to guide beings—sometimes by veiling His identity—so the world learns discernment, humility, and the deeper truth of Yoga leading toward liberation.
The verse supports Saguna worship: Shiva can be approached through revealed forms (including ascetic forms like a brahmacārin), while the Linga remains the timeless sign of His Nirguna reality. Both point to the same Pati (Lord) who reveals and conceals by His power.
It points toward yogic sādhana—steady meditation on Shiva as the inner Self (yogātmā)—supported by Shaiva disciplines such as japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and cultivating brahmacarya (sense-restraint) as a foundation for inner clarity.