Shloka 9
Gautama–Ahalyā-Upākhyāna: Durbhikṣa, Tapas, and Varuṇa’s Boon (गौतमाहल्योपाख्यानम्)
ततश्च वरुणस्तस्मै वरं दातुं समागताः । प्रसन्नोऽस्मि वरं ब्रूहि ददामि च वचोऽब्रवीत्
tataśca varuṇastasmai varaṃ dātuṃ samāgatāḥ | prasanno'smi varaṃ brūhi dadāmi ca vaco'bravīt
പിന്നീട് വരുണൻ അവനു വരം നൽകാൻ വന്നു പറഞ്ഞു—“ഞാൻ പ്രസന്നനാണ്; ഏതു വരം വേണമോ പറയുക, ഞാൻ നൽകാം,” എന്നു വചനം ഉച്ചരിച്ചു।
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kotirudrasaṃhitā account to the sages)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
FAQs
The verse highlights anugraha (divine grace): when a deity is “pleased,” boons arise as the fruit of dharma and devotion, reflecting the Shaiva view that higher welfare ultimately depends on grace aligned with righteous intent.
In Kotirudrasaṃhitā, narratives around sacred sites and Jyotirlingas often show that sincere reverence to Saguna manifestations of the Divine draws supportive forces (like Varuṇa) who aid the devotee’s path toward Shiva’s sacred presence.
The practical takeaway is sankalpa with purity: approach worship with a clear, dharmic intention—ideally accompanied by Shiva-nāma japa (e.g., “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—so that any sought “boon” becomes conducive to devotion and inner liberation.