Shloka 77
महाकालज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्ये चन्द्रसेन-चिन्तामणि-प्रसङ्गः
Mahākāla Jyotirliṅga Māhātmya: The Episode of King Candrasena and the Cintāmaṇi
एवंविधो महाकालश्शिवलिंगस्सतां गतिः । सर्वथा दुष्टहंता च शंकरो भक्तवत्सलः
evaṃvidho mahākālaśśivaliṃgassatāṃ gatiḥ | sarvathā duṣṭahaṃtā ca śaṃkaro bhaktavatsalaḥ
ഇങ്ങനെയുള്ള മഹാകാല ശിവലിംഗം സജ്ജനങ്ങളുടെ ആശ്രയവും പരമഗതിയും ആകുന്നു. അവൻ എല്ലായ്പ്പോഴും ദുഷ്ടരെ നശിപ്പിക്കുന്നവൻ; ശങ്കരൻ ഭക്തവത്സലൻ।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahākāla
Jyotirlinga: Mahākāleśvara
Sthala Purana: Mahākāla as the Śiva-liṅga is praised as the ultimate refuge of the sādhus and the annihilator of the wicked; the narrative frame in Koṭirudrasaṃhitā extols his protective grace (bhaktavātsalya) and punitive power over adharma.
Significance: Darśana of Mahākāla is held to grant protection from untimely death, fear of time, and to strengthen bhakti; it is also famed for removing grave sins through surrender to Śaṅkara.
Type: stotra
FAQs
The verse proclaims Mahākāla’s liṅga as the sure refuge and final spiritual destination (gati) for the sādhus and righteous, emphasizing Śiva as both the liberator of devotees and the power that removes adharma—aligning with the Shaiva view of Pati (Lord) granting grace and protection.
By identifying Mahākāla directly with the Śiva-liṅga, the verse affirms saguna-upāsanā: Śiva’s compassionate, accessible presence through the liṅga. Worship of the liṅga is presented as approaching Śaṅkara himself—protector of bhaktas and destroyer of negativity.
A practical takeaway is regular Śiva-liṅga pūjā with bhakti—offering water, bilva leaves, and japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” while cultivating ethical living (satām) and seeking Śiva’s grace for protection from inner and outer wickedness.