Srimad Bhagavatam — Dvadasha Skandha, Shloka 12
Mārkaṇḍeya Ṛṣi Meets Lord Śiva: Devotee as Living Tīrtha and the Lord’s Māyā
आत्मन्यपि शिवं प्राप्तं तडित्पिङ्गजटाधरम् । त्र्यक्षं दशभुजं प्रांशुमुद्यन्तमिव भास्करम् ॥ ११ ॥ व्याघ्रचर्माम्बरं शूलधनुरिष्वसिचर्मभि: । अक्षमालाडमरुककपालं परशुं सह ॥ १२ ॥ बिभ्राणं सहसा भातं विचक्ष्य हृदि विस्मित: । किमिदं कुत एवेति समाधेर्विरतो मुनि: ॥ १३ ॥
ātmany api śivaṁ prāptaṁ taḍit-piṅga-jaṭā-dharam try-akṣaṁ daśa-bhujaṁ prāṁśum udyantam iva bhāskaram
Nakita ng pantas sa kanyang puso si Bhagavān Śiva na nakasuot ng balat ng tigre at may tangan na trisula, busog, mga palaso, espada, kalasag, rosaryo ng japa, tambol na ḍamaru, bungo, at palakol. Ang liwanag Niya’y gaya ng araw sa bukang-liwayway. Namangha siya, lumabas sa samādhi, at nagtanong sa loob: “Saan Siya nagmula?”
FAQs
This verse lists Śiva’s distinctive emblems—trident, ḍamaru, skull, axe, and tiger-skin—presenting him as the powerful lord of ascetics and the divine protector who carries weapons and sacred insignia.
In this chapter’s vision, Śiva is revealed in a majestic, awe-inspiring form; the weapons signify his cosmic authority and protection, while the tiger-skin marks his renunciation and mastery over primal forces.
It encourages reverence for disciplined spirituality: cultivate steadiness (like a yogī), simplicity (renunciation), and inner strength to protect your values while remaining devoted.