Shloka 1

ओंकार-परमेश-लिङ्गकथा — The Narrative of the Oṃkāra Parameśa Liṅga

Gokarṇa–Vindhya Episode

Devanagari script

ऋषय ऊचुः । त्वया सूत महाभाग श्राविता ह्यद्भुता कथा । महाकालाख्यलिंगस्य निजभक्तसुरक्षिकः

Transliteration

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | tvayā sūta mahābhāga śrāvitā hyadbhutā kathā | mahākālākhyaliṃgasya nijabhaktasurakṣikaḥ

Translation

ரிஷிகள் கூறினர்—ஓ சூதா, பெரும் பாக்கியவானே, ‘மகாகால’ எனப்படும் லிங்கம் தன் பக்தர்களை உறுதியாகக் காக்கும் விதத்தைப் பற்றிய அற்புதக் கதையை நீ எங்களுக்குக் கேட்கச் செய்தாய்।

Word by Word

• ऋषयः: sages
• ऋषयः: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: ऋषि (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), बहुवचन

• ऊचुः: said
• ऊचुः: Kriyā (क्रिया/Verb)
• Type: Verb
• Root: वच् (धातु)
• Form: लिट्-लकार (Perfect), प्रथमपुरुष (3rd person), बहुवचन

• त्वया: by you
• त्वया: Karaṇa (करण/Instrument/Agent)
• Type: Noun
• Root: त्वद् (सर्वनाम-प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, तृतीया (3rd/तृतीया), एकवचन

• सूत: O Sūta
• सूत: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Vocative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: सूत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/सम्बोधन), एकवचन

• महाभाग: O greatly fortunate one
• महाभाग: Sambodhana (सम्बोधन/Vocative)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाभाग (प्रातिपदिक; महा + भाग)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, सम्बोधन (8th/सम्बोधन), एकवचन; कर्मधारय (महान् भागः यस्य)

• श्राविता: was recited / was made to be heard
• श्राविता: Kriyāviśeṣaṇa/Predicate (विधेय)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: श्रावित (कृदन्त-प्रातिपदिक; श्रु धातु का णिच्-प्रयोग + क्त; causative passive participle)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; कर्मणि/भावे कृदन्त: ‘caused to be heard / recited’

• हि: indeed
• हि: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Emphasis)
• Type: Indeclinable
• Root: हि (अव्यय)
• Form: निपात-अव्यय (particle: indeed)

• अद्भुता: wonderful
• अद्भुता: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: अद्भुत (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; विशेषण कथा इति

• कथा: story, account
• कथा: Karta (कर्ता/Subject)
• Type: Noun
• Root: कथा (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: स्त्रीलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन

• महाकालाख्यलिङ्गस्य: of the liṅga called Mahākāla
• महाकालाख्यलिङ्गस्य: Sambandha (सम्बन्ध/Genitive)
• Type: Noun
• Root: महाकालाख्यलिङ्ग (प्रातिपदिक; महाकाल + आख्य + लिङ्ग)
• Form: नपुंसकलिङ्ग, षष्ठी (6th/षष्ठी), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: (महाकाल-आख्यं लिङ्गम्) ‘the liṅga named Mahākāla’

• निजभक्तसुरक्षिकः: protector of his own devotees
• निजभक्तसुरक्षिकः: Viśeṣaṇa (विशेषण/Qualifier)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: निजभक्तसुरक्षिक (प्रातिपदिक; निज + भक्त + सुरक्षिक)
• Form: पुंलिङ्ग, प्रथमा (1st/प्रथमा), एकवचन; तत्पुरुष: निजभक्तानां सुरक्षिकः (protector of one’s own devotees)

Speaker

The sages of Naimiṣāraṇya (ṛṣis) addressing Sūta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pashu

Shiva Form: Mahākāla

Jyotirlinga Context

Jyotirlinga: Mahākāleśvara

Sthala Purana: The sages acknowledge the ‘adbhutā kathā’ just heard: Mahākāla-liṅga is characterized as nijabhakta-surakṣika—protector of his own, highlighting the grace-function that releases the bound soul from fear and harm.

Significance: Affirms the devotional fruit of hearing: confidence in Śiva’s rakṣaṇa (protection) and deepened śaraṇāgati (surrender), central to Siddhānta’s path of bhakti leading to anugraha.

Characters & Entities

• Shiva
• Mahakala Linga

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

This verse highlights a key Shaiva teaching: Shiva, especially as the Mahākāla Liṅga, actively protects those who take refuge in Him with devotion (bhakti), showing the Lord’s grace (anugraha) toward His devotees.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

By praising the “Mahākāla Liṅga” as a protector, the verse affirms Saguna worship through the Liṅga-form—Shiva made accessible for devotion, pilgrimage, and surrender, while still pointing to His transcendent lordship.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The practical takeaway is bhakti-centered Liṅga worship—remembering Mahākāla, offering water and bilva, and japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with the attitude of seeking Shiva’s protection and grace.