Shloka 27
Andhakeśvara-liṅga Māhātmya and Śiva’s Subjugation of Andhaka (अन्धकेश्वरलिङ्गमाहात्म्य तथा अन्धकवध-प्रसङ्ग)
पूजां कृत्वा गतस्सोऽपि सुदर्शन इति स्मृतः । स्त्रीसंगं शिवरात्रौ तुं कृत्वा पुनरिहागतः
pūjāṃ kṛtvā gatasso'pi sudarśana iti smṛtaḥ | strīsaṃgaṃ śivarātrau tuṃ kṛtvā punarihāgataḥ
Matapos isagawa ang pagsamba, siya man ay lumisan at nakilala sa pangalang Sudarśana. Ngunit dahil nakipagtalik siya sa isang babae sa gabi ng Śivarātri, muli siyang nagbalik sa kalagayang makamundo na ito.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Sthala Purana: The verse functions as a cautionary Śivarātri-māhātmya: even after pūjā and spiritual ‘departure’ (merit/uttama-gati), violation of the night’s restraint (brahmacarya/indriya-nigraha) triggers a fall back into saṃsāra.
Significance: Teaches pilgrims that vrata is not only presence at a shrine but integrity of conduct; Śivarātri is a test of restraint and vigilance.
Offering: dipa
FAQs
It teaches that Śivarātri worship can elevate a devotee, but breaking the vow through sensual indulgence—especially on the sacred night—pulls the mind back into bondage, delaying liberation.
Śivarātri is a prime time for Saguna worship of Lord Śiva as the Liṅga; the verse underscores that outer pūjā must be supported by inner discipline (niyama), otherwise the fruit of Liṅga-worship is diminished.
Observe Śivarātri with restraint (brahmacarya), night-vigil (jāgaraṇa), mantra-japa such as the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and focused Liṅga-pūjā, avoiding sense-indulgence during the vrata.