Shloka 22
Bhaimaśaṅkara-māhātmya: Śiva’s Descent in Kāmarūpa and the Rise of Bhīma
ब्रह्माणां च समुद्दिश्य वर्षाणां च सहस्रकम् । मनसा ध्यानमाश्रित्य तपश्चक्रे महत्तदा
brahmāṇāṃ ca samuddiśya varṣāṇāṃ ca sahasrakam | manasā dhyānamāśritya tapaścakre mahattadā
అప్పుడు అతడు వెయ్యి దివ్య సంవత్సరాల కాలాన్ని లక్ష్యంగా చేసుకొని, మనస్సును ధ్యానంలో నిలిపి, ఆ సమయంలో మహత్తర తపస్సు చేసెను।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Jyotirlinga: Bhīmaśaṃkara
Sthala Purana: The māhātmya emphasizes prolonged tapas (thousand divine years) and mental dhyāna as the causal prelude to later upheaval; the Jyotirliṅga’s greatness is shown by Śiva’s capacity to neutralize tapas-born tyranny and re-establish refuge.
Significance: Encourages devotees to redirect dhyāna and tapas toward Śiva for purification; contrasts egoic concentration with liberating devotion and grace at the kṣetra.
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: Long-duration tapas measured in ‘Brahmā-years’ (divine time-scale), implying supra-human temporal frame.
FAQs
It highlights that even exalted beings must rely on sustained dhyāna (inner concentration) and tapas (disciplined austerity) to become fit for Shiva’s grace—showing the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on purification and divine favor.
Though the verse speaks of mental contemplation, it supports Saguna Shiva worship by indicating that focused meditation (often on Shiva’s form or the Linga) is a valid means to steady the mind and prepare the devotee for Shiva’s revelation and blessings.
The direct practice is dhyāna with firm resolve over time; in Shaiva usage this is commonly supported by japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and observances like vrata and purity disciplines, even when not explicitly stated in this single verse.