Shloka 3
रावणस्य तपः-शिवानुग्रहः — Rāvaṇa’s Austerity and Śiva’s Bestowal of Grace
नतश्चायं हिमवतस्सिद्धिस्थानस्य वै गिरेः । पौलस्त्यो रावणश्श्रीमान्दक्षिणे वृक्षखंडके
nataścāyaṃ himavatassiddhisthānasya vai gireḥ | paulastyo rāvaṇaśśrīmāndakṣiṇe vṛkṣakhaṃḍake
నమస్కరించి, సిద్ధిస్థానంగా ప్రసిద్ధమైన ఆ హిమవత్ పర్వతంలోని దక్షిణ వనఖండంలో పౌలస్త్య వంశజుడైన శ్రీమాన్ రావణుడు నిలిచెను.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Jyotirlinga: Vaidyanātha
Sthala Purana: The narrative localizes Rāvaṇa’s practice to a siddhi-sthāna on Himavat, a typical purāṇic marker for places where tapas yields extraordinary results—preparing the ground for a jyotirliṅga-centered revelation/boon in the broader māhātmya.
Significance: Highlights the sanctity of siddhi-kṣetras: disciplined worship in such places is portrayed as potent, yet still subordinate to Śiva’s will and grace.
FAQs
The verse highlights humility (bowing) and sacred geography: a siddhi-sthāna is portrayed as a spiritually potent setting where devotion and disciplined intent can mature into Shiva’s grace, turning worldly power toward dharma and liberation.
By placing Rāvaṇa at a siddhi-sthāna on Himavat, the text prepares the ground for approach to Saguna Shiva through a sanctified place—typical of Jyotirlinga narratives where the devotee’s physical approach, reverence, and inner surrender converge in Linga-centered worship.
The immediate practice implied is namaskāra (prostration) before entering a sacred grove/teertha; paired with japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and steady tapas, it aligns the seeker with Shiva-bhakti and readiness for siddhi that serves moksha.