Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
शिवदूतगमनानन्तरं शङ्खचूडस्य तुलसीसम्भाषणं युद्धप्रस्थान-तत्परता च / After Śiva’s Messenger Departs: Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Counsel with Tulasī and Readiness for War
श्रीशैलोत्तरभागे च गंधमादनदक्षिणे । पंचयोजनविस्तीर्णं दैर्घ्ये शतगुणस्तथा
śrīśailottarabhāge ca gaṃdhamādanadakṣiṇe | paṃcayojanavistīrṇaṃ dairghye śataguṇastathā
В северной области Шришайлы и к югу от Гандхамаданы простирается участок земли — шириной в пять йоджан, а длиной в сто раз больше того.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Jyotirlinga: Mallikārjuna
Sthala Purana: Śrīśaila is classically the kṣetra of Mallikārjuna; the verse’s ‘Śrīśaila’ boundary-marker situates the described tract within the wider Śrīśaila sacred region, a common Purāṇic way of extending jyotirliṅga-kṣetra influence to adjacent tīrthas.
Significance: Association with Śrīśaila implies liṅga-darśana/saṅkalpa in the kṣetra yields pāpa-kṣaya and bhakti-siddhi; in Siddhānta terms, kṣetra-sevā supports mala-kṣaya and readiness for anugraha.
FAQs
It sacralizes geography by defining a holy Shaiva region through traditional markers (Śrīśaila and Gandhamādana), implying that entering such a consecrated space supports purification and devotion toward Pati (Śiva), aiding the soul’s movement toward liberation.
By locating a specific sacred tract, the verse supports Saguna Śiva worship as practiced in tīrthas—where devotees approach Śiva through established holy sites, often centered on Liṅga worship, pilgrimage disciplines, and temple rites.
Pilgrimage with disciplined observances is implied—approaching the holy region with mantra-japa (especially the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), purity vows, and temple darśana of Śiva, aligning outer journey with inner remembrance.