Shloka 15
Kedāreśvara-pratiṣṭhā: Nara-Nārāyaṇa’s Worship and Śiva’s Abiding as Jyoti
तद्रूपेण स्थितस्तत्र भक्तवत्सलनामभाक् । नयपाले शिरोभागो गतस्तद्रूपतः स्थितः
tadrūpeṇa sthitastatra bhaktavatsalanāmabhāk | nayapāle śirobhāgo gatastadrūpataḥ sthitaḥ
అదే రూపంలో అక్కడ నిలిచిన శివుడు ‘భక్తవత్సల’ అనే నామంతో ప్రసిద్ధుడయ్యాడు. అదే రూపంలో ఆయన శిరస్సు యొక్క ఒక భాగం నయపాల వద్ద స్థిరంగా ప్రతిష్ఠితమైంది।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Jyotirlinga: Kedāranātha
Sthala Purana: Śiva, remaining in the buffalo-form episode, becomes famed as Bhaktavatsala (‘tender to devotees’). The narrative also localizes His presence: a portion of the head is said to have become established at a place called Nayapāla, reflecting the Kedāra region’s multi-site sacral geography.
Significance: Affirms that Śiva’s grace can ‘anchor’ in specific sthalas; devotees visit such sites to receive bhaktavātsalya—protective, intimate divine favor.
Type: stotra
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It highlights Śiva’s core Shaiva teaching that the Lord is Bhaktavatsala—He willingly abides in a manifest (saguṇa) form for the protection and uplift of devotees, making sacred places powerful through His presence.
By stating that Śiva “remained established” in a particular form at a place, the verse supports the Purāṇic idea that saguṇa manifestations—often worshiped as Liṅga or localized divine presence—are valid, grace-giving supports for devotion leading toward liberation.
Pilgrimage and steady bhakti: visit the sacred site with purity, worship Śiva with pañcākṣara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), and perform simple offerings (water, bilva) while meditating on Him as Bhaktavatsala.