Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 14
अन्धक-प्रश्नः — Inquiry into Andhaka
Genealogy and Nature
स राजधानीं च विधाय तस्यां चक्रं परोतीः सुखदा जनानाम् । तद्रक्षकं भैरवनामवीरं कृत्वा समं शैलजयाहि बह्वीः
sa rājadhānīṃ ca vidhāya tasyāṃ cakraṃ parotīḥ sukhadā janānām | tadrakṣakaṃ bhairavanāmavīraṃ kṛtvā samaṃ śailajayāhi bahvīḥ
तत्र राजधानीं विधाय चक्रं रक्षार्थमुत्तमम् । भैरवनाम वीरं तद्रक्षकं कृत्वा शैलजासहितो ययौ ॥
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: In Kāśī, a sacred protective ‘cakra’ (ritual boundary/mandala of protection) is established for the welfare of inhabitants; Bhairava is appointed as kṣetrapāla (guardian), a hallmark of Kāśī’s sthala tradition where Kālabhairava guards the city and regulates entry into its sanctity.
Significance: Pilgrims traditionally seek Kālabhairava’s permission/blessing for Kāśī-vāsa and for the fruit of Viśvanātha darśana; the kṣetrapāla ensures protection and right conduct within the sacred field.
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
Offering: dipa
FAQs
It presents Śiva as Pati—the divine Lord who establishes order, protection, and welfare for beings; the “cakra” signifies a consecrated boundary of dharma upheld by Śiva’s śakti, ensuring peace for the people.
By depicting Śiva’s tangible governance—founding a capital and appointing Bhairava as guardian—the verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva: the compassionate, personal Lord who safeguards sacred space and devotees, a core attitude in Linga-centered worship.
It suggests protective devotion: remembering Bhairava as Śiva’s kṣetrapāla (guardian) while reciting the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and maintaining purity with bhasma (tripuṇḍra) as a dharmic boundary for one’s life and practice.