Shloka 25
नारीसन्देहभञ्जक-शम्भ्ववतारकथा
The Account of Śambhu’s Incarnation that Dispels Doubts Concerning Women
तत्राजगाम सहसा स भिक्षुः परमेश्वरः । यत्रास्ति संदेहवती द्विजस्त्री ज्ञातुमिच्छती
tatrājagāma sahasā sa bhikṣuḥ parameśvaraḥ | yatrāsti saṃdehavatī dvijastrī jñātumicchatī
సందేహంతో ఉన్న ఆ ద్విజస్త్రీ సత్యాన్ని తెలుసుకోవాలని కోరుతున్న చోటుకు, పరమేశ్వరుడు భిక్షువు రూపంలో అకస్మాత్తుగా వచ్చెను.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhikṣāṭana
Sthala Purana: The ‘sudden arrival’ of the disguised Lord at the devotee’s location is a common narrative kernel used in local traditions to sacralize a site: the place becomes holy because Śiva ‘came there’ (tatrājagāma).
Significance: Encourages vigilance in dharma and hospitality: the divine may arrive unrecognized; serving the guest becomes serving Śiva, leading to removal of doubt and bondage.
FAQs
It shows Shiva as Parameśvara responding to the seeker’s inner crisis: when doubt arises, the Lord compassionately manifests (even in humble disguise) to grant clarity, turning saṃśaya into jñāna through grace.
The verse highlights Saguna Shiva’s accessibility—He takes a visible form (a bhikṣu) to guide devotees. In Linga worship, this same compassionate Presence is approached through a concrete symbol, inviting inquiry, surrender, and direct experience.
Approach Shiva with humility and a question-filled heart: chant the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with japa, apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder of impermanence, and pray for the removal of doubt and the awakening of right understanding.