Shloka 40
अवंतीस्थ-ब्राह्मणकथा तथा तृतीय-ज्योतिर्लिङ्गोपाख्यान-प्रस्तावना
Avanti Brahmin Narrative and Prelude to the Third Jyotirliṅga
कियत्सैन्यं हतं तेन किंचित्सैन्यं पलायितम् । दूषणश्च हतस्तेन शिवेनेह परात्मना
kiyatsainyaṃ hataṃ tena kiṃcitsainyaṃ palāyitam | dūṣaṇaśca hatastena śiveneha parātmanā
Oleh-Nya, sebahagian besar bala tentera telah dibunuh, dan hanya sedikit yang melarikan diri. Dūṣaṇa juga terbunuh di sana oleh Śiva itu—Diri Tertinggi—yang menzahirkan diri di tempat ini.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahākāla
Jyotirlinga: Mahākāleśvara
Sthala Purana: Śiva manifests as Mahākāla (Lord of Time) to destroy the adharmic aggressor (Dūṣaṇa) and protect the brāhmaṇas; the episode functions as a local theophany explaining Mahākāla’s protective sovereignty.
Significance: Darśana of Mahākāla is held to cut fear of death/time, remove grave sins, and grant protection; especially potent for pradoṣa and Mahāśivarātri worship.
FAQs
The verse highlights Śiva as Parātman (the Supreme Self) who intervenes to remove adharma: the destruction of hostile forces symbolizes the soul’s obstacles being cut down by divine grace, leading toward protection and liberation.
It presents the Nirguna truth (Śiva as Parātman) acting through a Saguna manifestation “here,” a key Shaiva Purana theme: devotees worship the accessible form (often via the Liṅga) while recognizing the same Śiva as the highest reality.
A practical takeaway is to take refuge in Śiva through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and remembrance of Śiva as the inner Parātman, especially during times of fear or inner conflict.