Shloka 6
Śivāṣṭamūrti-varṇanam
Description of Shiva’s Eight Forms
संजीवनं समस्तस्य जगतः सलिलात्मकम् । भव इत्युच्यते रूपं भवस्य परमात्मनः
saṃjīvanaṃ samastasya jagataḥ salilātmakam | bhava ityucyate rūpaṃ bhavasya paramātmanaḥ
Yang menjadi penawar hidup dan penyokong bagi seluruh jagat, yang bersifat air, itulah yang disebut rupa “Bhava”—penampakan Bhava, Sang Diri Tertinggi.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a specific Jyotirliṅga-sthala passage; it defines a cosmic ‘Bhava’ aspect as the water-principle sustaining life.
Significance: Supports contemplation of Śiva as the immanent sustainer within the elemental order (bhūta-sāmānya), encouraging reverence for tīrtha and abhiṣeka symbolism.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It identifies Śiva as Bhava—the Supreme Self who becomes the universe’s sustaining, life-renewing principle, here expressed through the water-element, showing His compassionate immanence while remaining Paramātman.
It supports Saguna worship by teaching that the formless Supreme is approachable through specific forms (rūpas) like “Bhava,” which devotees can contemplate in the Liṅga as the all-sustaining presence pervading creation.
Meditate on Śiva as Bhava within water (salila)—offer pure water (jala-abhisheka) to the Śiva-liṅga while remembering Him as the life-sustainer, ideally with japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya.”