Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 14
अन्धक-प्रश्नः — Inquiry into Andhaka
Genealogy and Nature
स राजधानीं च विधाय तस्यां चक्रं परोतीः सुखदा जनानाम् । तद्रक्षकं भैरवनामवीरं कृत्वा समं शैलजयाहि बह्वीः
sa rājadhānīṃ ca vidhāya tasyāṃ cakraṃ parotīḥ sukhadā janānām | tadrakṣakaṃ bhairavanāmavīraṃ kṛtvā samaṃ śailajayāhi bahvīḥ
ನಂತರ ಅವನು ಅಲ್ಲಿ ರಾಜಧಾನಿಯನ್ನು ಸ್ಥಾಪಿಸಿ, ಜನರಿಗೆ ಸುಖ ನೀಡುವ ರಕ್ಷಣಾರ್ಥ ಪವಿತ್ರ ಚಕ್ರವನ್ನು ನಿರ್ಮಿಸಿದನು. ಅದರ ರಕ್ಷಕರಾಗಿ ‘ಭೈರವ’ ಎಂಬ ವೀರನನ್ನು ನೇಮಿಸಿ, ಶೈಲಜಾ (ಪಾರ್ವತಿ)ಯೊಂದಿಗೆ ಅನೇಕ ಕಾರ್ಯಗಳಿಗಾಗಿ ಮುಂದಕ್ಕೆ ಹೊರಟನು।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: In Kāśī, a sacred protective ‘cakra’ (ritual boundary/mandala of protection) is established for the welfare of inhabitants; Bhairava is appointed as kṣetrapāla (guardian), a hallmark of Kāśī’s sthala tradition where Kālabhairava guards the city and regulates entry into its sanctity.
Significance: Pilgrims traditionally seek Kālabhairava’s permission/blessing for Kāśī-vāsa and for the fruit of Viśvanātha darśana; the kṣetrapāla ensures protection and right conduct within the sacred field.
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
Offering: dipa
FAQs
It presents Śiva as Pati—the divine Lord who establishes order, protection, and welfare for beings; the “cakra” signifies a consecrated boundary of dharma upheld by Śiva’s śakti, ensuring peace for the people.
By depicting Śiva’s tangible governance—founding a capital and appointing Bhairava as guardian—the verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva: the compassionate, personal Lord who safeguards sacred space and devotees, a core attitude in Linga-centered worship.
It suggests protective devotion: remembering Bhairava as Śiva’s kṣetrapāla (guardian) while reciting the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and maintaining purity with bhasma (tripuṇḍra) as a dharmic boundary for one’s life and practice.