Shloka 48
अवंतीस्थ-ब्राह्मणकथा तथा तृतीय-ज्योतिर्लिङ्गोपाख्यान-प्रस्तावना
Avanti Brahmin Narrative and Prelude to the Third Jyotirliṅga
सूत उवाच । इत्युक्तस्तैश्शिवस्तत्र तस्थौ गर्ते सुशोभने । भक्तानां चैव रक्षार्थं दत्त्वा तेभ्यश्च सद्गतिम्
sūta uvāca | ityuktastaiśśivastatra tasthau garte suśobhane | bhaktānāṃ caiva rakṣārthaṃ dattvā tebhyaśca sadgatim
สูตะกล่าวว่า—เมื่อพวกเขากราบทูลดังนั้น พระศัมภูประทับอยู่ ณ โพรงอันงดงามนั้น เพื่อคุ้มครองเหล่าภักตะ และทรงประทาน “สัทคติ” คือคติอันเป็นมงคลแท้แก่พวกเขา
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Sthala Purana: Śiva, petitioned by devotees, abides in a beautiful hollow (garta) to protect bhaktas and grants them sadgati—an archetypal kṣetra-origin: the Lord’s compassionate ‘staying’ establishes a permanent salvific presence, often culminating in a liṅga-manifestation.
Significance: Affirms that the kṣetra is sustained by Śiva’s will; devotees receive protection (rakṣā) and the highest good (sadgati/mukti) through His grace rather than mere ritual merit.
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse highlights Śiva as Pati—the supreme Lord who actively protects His bhaktas and bestows sadgati, the auspicious end that culminates in liberation through His grace.
Śiva ‘remaining there’ points to His compassionate, accessible Saguna presence—often expressed in Kotirudra contexts through sacred abodes and Liṅga manifestations—so devotees can take refuge and receive protection and spiritual fulfillment.
The takeaway is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) expressed through bhakti—regular worship of Śiva-liṅga with the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” accompanied by purity practices like bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa when appropriate.