Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 12
Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Meets Lord Śiva: Devotee as Living Tīrtha and the Lord’s Māyā
आत्मन्यपि शिवं प्राप्तं तडित्पिङ्गजटाधरम् । त्र्यक्षं दशभुजं प्रांशुमुद्यन्तमिव भास्करम् ॥ ११ ॥ व्याघ्रचर्माम्बरं शूलधनुरिष्वसिचर्मभि: । अक्षमालाडमरुककपालं परशुं सह ॥ १२ ॥ बिभ्राणं सहसा भातं विचक्ष्य हृदि विस्मित: । किमिदं कुत एवेति समाधेर्विरतो मुनि: ॥ १३ ॥
ātmany api śivaṁ prāptaṁ taḍit-piṅga-jaṭā-dharam try-akṣaṁ daśa-bhujaṁ prāṁśum udyantam iva bhāskaram
व्याघ्रचर्माम्बरं शूलधनुरिष्वसिचर्मभिरक्षमालाडमरुककपालपरशुभिश्च समलङ्कृतं शिवं हृदि सहसा ददर्श। तस्य तेजोऽरुणोदयभास्करवत्; तं दृष्ट्वा मुनिः विस्मितोऽभूत्, समाधेर्विरतः ‘कुत एष आगतः’ इति मनसा पप्रच्छ।
FAQs
This verse lists Śiva’s distinctive emblems—trident, ḍamaru, skull, axe, and tiger-skin—presenting him as the powerful lord of ascetics and the divine protector who carries weapons and sacred insignia.
In this chapter’s vision, Śiva is revealed in a majestic, awe-inspiring form; the weapons signify his cosmic authority and protection, while the tiger-skin marks his renunciation and mastery over primal forces.
It encourages reverence for disciplined spirituality: cultivate steadiness (like a yogī), simplicity (renunciation), and inner strength to protect your values while remaining devoted.