Shloka 20
Harīśvara-liṅga Mahimā and the Origin-Context of Viṣṇu’s Sudarśana (हरिश्वरलिङ्गमहिमा तथा सुदर्शनप्राप्तिकथा)
परीक्षार्थं विष्णुभक्तेस्तदा वै शंकरेण ह । कमलानां सहस्रात्तु हृतमेकं च नीरजम्
parīkṣārthaṃ viṣṇubhaktestadā vai śaṃkareṇa ha | kamalānāṃ sahasrāttu hṛtamekaṃ ca nīrajam
വിഷ്ണുവിന്റെ ഭക്തി പരീക്ഷിക്കാനായി അന്നേരം ശങ്കരൻ ആയിരം താമരകളിൽ നിന്ന് ഒരു താമര എടുത്തുകളഞ്ഞു।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Śiva’s ‘removal of one lotus’ is a narrative emblem of tirodhāna (veiling/withholding) used compassionately as parīkṣā to mature the devotee; it is not tied to a specific Jyotirliṅga locale in the quoted passage.
Significance: Teaches pilgrims that apparent obstacles in worship can be Śiva’s pedagogical concealment, intended to intensify surrender and single-pointed devotion.
Role: teaching
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It shows that true bhakti is proved when devotion remains steady even if the external means of worship are reduced; Shiva’s “testing” reveals the devotee’s inner surrender and single-pointed intent.
The episode emphasizes Saguna worship—offering flowers and completing a vowed count—yet teaches that the Linga is pleased primarily by unwavering devotion; Shiva may alter circumstances to reveal the worshipper’s authenticity.
Maintain a fixed vrata or japa count with sincerity; if an offering becomes unavailable, substitute with heartfelt devotion and mantra (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) rather than abandoning worship.