Shloka 14
Viśvānara-Gṛhapati Upākhyāna — Śivasya Agni-gṛhe Avatāraḥ
The Account of Viśvānara Gṛhapati and Śiva’s Descent into the House of Fire
शुचिष्मत्युवाच । वरयोग्यास्मि चेन्नाथ यदि देयो वरो मम । महेशसदृशम्पुत्रन्देहि नान्यं वरं वृणे
śuciṣmatyuvāca | varayogyāsmi cennātha yadi deyo varo mama | maheśasadṛśamputrandehi nānyaṃ varaṃ vṛṇe
Śuciṣmatī berkata: “Wahai Tuan, jika aku layak menerima anugerah dan jika anugerah hendak dikurniakan kepadaku, maka kurniakanlah kepadaku seorang putera yang setara dengan Maheśa (Śiva). Tiada anugerah lain yang kupilih.”
Śuciṣmatī
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse centers on boon-seeking (vara) and Śiva’s grace granting an exceptional son.
Significance: General Śaiva teaching: sincere petition aligned with dharma and devotion becomes a doorway to anugraha (grace).
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse highlights single-pointed bhakti and the ideal of seeking Shiva-sāmya (Godlike virtue) through grace—asking not for worldly gains but for a life aligned with Maheśa’s qualities.
By desiring a son “equal to Maheśa,” the devotee approaches Shiva as Saguna (with attributes), where grace is personally bestowed; such devotion commonly expresses itself through Linga worship as the accessible form of the Supreme.
The takeaway is vow-based prayer with focused intention—supported by Shaiva practice like japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and worship of Shiva with purity (śauca) and steadfast devotion.