भैरवावतारवर्णनम् (Bhairavāvatāra-varṇanam) — “Description of the Descent/Manifestation of Bhairava”
देवर्षय ऊचुः । देवदेव प्रजानाथ सृष्टिकृल्लोकनायक । तत्त्वतो वद चास्मभ्यं किमेकं तत्त्वमव्ययम्
devarṣaya ūcuḥ | devadeva prajānātha sṛṣṭikṛllokanāyaka | tattvato vada cāsmabhyaṃ kimekaṃ tattvamavyayam
天のリシたちは言った。「神々の中の神よ、衆生の主よ、諸世界の創造者にして導き手よ——真実のままにお告げください。滅びることなき唯一の実在(タットヴァ)とは何ですか。」
Devarishis (divine sages)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not tied to a jyotirliṅga; it is a tattva-prashna: identifying the one imperishable Reality behind creation and cosmic governance.
Significance: Hearing/reflecting on ‘ekaṃ tattvam avyayam’ is framed as jñāna-bhakti leading toward Śiva’s anugraha; supports inner pilgrimage (antar-yātrā).
Role: teaching
It frames the core Shaiva inquiry: beyond changing forms and worlds, the sages seek the single imperishable Reality—Shiva as the supreme tattva—knowledge of whom leads toward liberation.
By asking for the one “avyaya tattva,” the sages point to Shiva’s nirguna truth; Linga worship supports this by offering a saguna focus that symbolizes and leads the mind toward that formless, imperishable Shiva.
A direct takeaway is tattva-vicara (contemplation of Shiva-tattva), supported by japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and steady meditation on the Linga as the sign of the imperishable Pati.