Shloka 56
भैरवावतारवर्णनम् (Bhairavāvatāra-varṇanam) — “Description of the Descent/Manifestation of Bhairava”
परब्रह्म शिवः साक्षात्सच्चिदानन्दलक्षणः । परमात्मा गुणातीत इति ज्ञानमवापतुः
parabrahma śivaḥ sākṣātsaccidānandalakṣaṇaḥ | paramātmā guṇātīta iti jñānamavāpatuḥ
शिवः परब्रह्म साक्षात् सच्चिदानन्दलक्षणः । परमात्मा गुणातीत इति ज्ञानमवापतुः ॥
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Significance: Establishes the siddhānta that Śiva is Parabrahman (Saccidānanda, guṇātīta); contemplation of this truth is held to mature the soul toward liberation (mokṣa) through Śiva’s grace.
Mantra: परब्रह्म शिवः साक्षात्सच्चिदानन्दलक्षणः । परमात्मा गुणातीत इति ज्ञानमवापतुः
Type: stotra
FAQs
It affirms Shiva as Parabrahman—Saccidānanda and Guṇātīta—indicating that liberation arises from right knowledge (jñāna) of Shiva as the supreme Reality, beyond limiting qualities.
Although the verse describes Nirguṇa Shiva (beyond guṇas), Shaiva tradition approaches Him through Saguna supports like the Śiva-liṅga and mantra; worship matures into the realization that the worshipped Lord is the same Guṇātīta Parabrahman.
Contemplate Shiva as Saccidānanda while doing japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and liṅga-dhyāna, letting devotion lead into steady inner knowledge of Shiva as Paramātmā.