Shloka 26
नारीसन्देहभञ्जक-शम्भ्ववतारकथा
The Account of Śambhu’s Incarnation that Dispels Doubts Concerning Women
भिक्षुवर्य्यस्वरूपोऽसावविज्ञातगतिः प्रभुः । तामाह विप्रवनितां विहस्य करुणानिधिः
bhikṣuvaryyasvarūpo'sāvavijñātagatiḥ prabhuḥ | tāmāha vipravanitāṃ vihasya karuṇānidhiḥ
సాధారణ జ్ఞానానికి అతీతమైన గతి గల ఆ ప్రభువు ఉత్తమ భిక్షువు రూపం ధరించాడు. కరుణాసముద్రుడు చిరునవ్వుతో ఆ బ్రాహ్మణస్త్రీతో పలికెను।
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhikṣāṭana
Sthala Purana: Śiva’s compassionate smile and speech to the devotee is the narrative hinge where a site/event becomes salvific: the Lord’s ‘unfathomable ways’ (avijñātagati) culminate in direct instruction or boon.
Significance: Models the fruit of devotion: when the paśu is troubled and seeks truth, Pati responds with approachable teaching, dissolving fear and doubt and initiating inner transformation.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights Shiva’s līlā: the Supreme Lord, unknowable in His ways, approaches devotees in humble disguise, drawing out faith, surrender, and inner purification through compassionate interaction.
By showing Shiva in an accessible, personal form (saguṇa-līlā), the verse supports devotional worship where the transcendent Pati becomes approachable—later recognized and adored through forms such as the Liṅga and other manifestations.
Cultivate bhakti with humility and discernment: offer alms/service to sādhus with the remembrance that Shiva may come in any form; mentally repeat the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while practicing compassion and non-judgment.