Shloka 1

Vyasa

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Kirātāvatāra, Durvāsā-upākhyāna, and the Logic of Divine Rescue

Kirātākhyam-avatāra; Pāṇḍava-prasaṅga

Devanagari script

नन्दीश्वर उवाच । शृणु प्राज्ञ किराताख्यमवतारम्पिनाकिनः । मूकं च हतवान्प्रीतो योऽर्जुनाय वरन्ददौ

Transliteration

nandīśvara uvāca | śṛṇu prājña kirātākhyamavatārampinākinaḥ | mūkaṃ ca hatavānprīto yo'rjunāya varandadau

Translation

నందీశ్వరుడు పలికెను—హే ప్రాజ్ఞా, పినాకధారి (శివుడు) యొక్క ‘కిరాత’ నామావతారాన్ని వినుము; ఆయన ప్రసన్నుడై మూకుని వధించి అర్జునునకు వరం ప్రసాదించాడు।

Word by Word

नन्दीश्वरःNandīśvara

उवाचsaid

शृणुlisten

प्राज्ञO wise one

किरात-आख्यम्named 'Kirāta'

अवतारम्incarnation; descent

पिनाकिनःof Pinākin (Śiva, bearer of the bow Pināka)

मूकम्Mūka (name of the demon)

चand

हतवान्having slain; slayer of

प्रीतःpleased

यःwho

अर्जुनायto Arjuna

वरम्a boon

ददौgave

Speaker

Nandishvara (Nandi)

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pati

Shiva Form: Bhairava

Jyotirlinga Context

Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; it introduces Śiva’s Kirāta (hunter) avatāra who tests Arjuna, slays the demon Mūka, and grants the Pāśupata boon.

Significance: Frames Śiva as Pati who both removes obstacles (slaying Mūka) and bestows anugraha (boon) after testing devotion/valor.

Characters & Entities

Shiva

Nandi

Arjuna

Muka

Kirata

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

It highlights Śiva as Pati (the Lord) who assumes a Saguna form (Kirāta) to protect dharma, destroy obstructive forces (Mūka), and bestow grace (anugraha) upon a sincere seeker like Arjuna.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

While the Liṅga points to Śiva’s transcendent reality, this verse emphasizes that the same Supreme Lord also becomes approachable through Saguna manifestations, responding personally to devotion, tapas, and righteous intent.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

The takeaway is steadfast devotion and disciplined practice: worship Śiva with mantra-japa (especially “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), cultivate humility, and seek Śiva’s grace for the removal of inner ‘Mūka’-like obstacles (pride, delusion, violence).