Shloka 47
अवंतीस्थ-ब्राह्मणकथा तथा तृतीय-ज्योतिर्लिङ्गोपाख्यान-प्रस्तावना
Avanti Brahmin Narrative and Prelude to the Third Jyotirliṅga
अत्रैव लोकरक्षार्थं स्थातव्यं हि त्वया शिव । स्वदर्शकान्नराञ्छम्भो तारय त्वं सदा प्रभो
atraiva lokarakṣārthaṃ sthātavyaṃ hi tvayā śiva | svadarśakānnarāñchambho tāraya tvaṃ sadā prabho
ఓ శివా, లోకరక్షణార్థం నీవు ఇక్కడే తప్పక నిలిచి ఉండాలి. ఓ శంభూ, ఓ ప్రభూ—నీ దర్శనం పొందిన మనుష్యులను నీవు ఎల్లప్పుడూ తరింపజేయుము।
Devas and local devotees (petitioning Lord Shiva at the sacred Jyotirlinga site)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Devotees request Śiva to remain at the very spot for loka-rakṣā and to liberate all who obtain His darśana—typical of liṅga-sthāpanā narratives where the Lord abides as a permanent tirtha for the welfare of the world.
Significance: Establishes the doctrine of tirtha-darśana: the Lord’s abiding presence makes the place a ferry-point across saṃsāra for ordinary people; emphasizes protection and ongoing grace.
Mantra: अत्रैव लोकरक्षार्थं स्थातव्यं हि त्वया शिव । स्वदर्शकान्नराञ्छम्भो तारय त्वं सदा प्रभो
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse highlights Shiva’s role as Pati—the compassionate Lord who remains accessible in a sacred locus to protect beings and to grant liberation to those who approach him with devotion and receive his darśana.
In the Kotirudra context, Shiva’s ‘staying here’ points to his manifest presence at a Jyotirlinga. Devotees worship Saguna Shiva through the Linga as a merciful, approachable form, through which he bestows grace and carries devotees beyond bondage.
The practical takeaway is darśana-centered bhakti: visit the sacred Shiva-sthāna (Jyotirlinga), perform Linga-abhiṣeka with mantra-japa (especially the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and pray for protection and inner crossing beyond saṃsāra.