Shloka 46
एकोनविंशतिशिवावतारवर्णनम्
Description of the Nineteen Manifestations/Avatāras of Śiva
श्मशाने मृतमुत्सृज्य दृष्ट्वा कायमनामयम् । ब्राह्मणानां हितार्थाय प्रविष्टो योगमायया
śmaśāne mṛtamutsṛjya dṛṣṭvā kāyamanāmayam | brāhmaṇānāṃ hitārthāya praviṣṭo yogamāyayā
Sa libingan ng pagsusunog, matapos iwan ang patay na katawan at makita ang katawang walang karamdaman, para sa kapakanan ng mga brāhmaṇa, sa pamamagitan ng Yogamāyā ay pumasok siya roon.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse frames a cremation-ground (śmaśāna) setting and a salvific ‘entry’ by Yogamāyā for the welfare of brāhmaṇas, typical of avatāra/mission narratives rather than liṅga-sthāna māhātmya.
Significance: Highlights śmaśāna as a liminal, transformative space where Śiva’s grace can override ordinary karmic limits for dharma-protection.
FAQs
The verse uses the cremation-ground motif to teach vairāgya (dispassion): the body is transient, while Shiva’s śakti (Yogamāyā) can assume forms for dharma—here, specifically to protect and uplift the brāhmaṇas and sacred order.
By describing entry into a form through Yogamāyā, the Purana highlights Saguna Shiva—Shiva manifesting compassionately in perceivable forms for devotees—while implying the transcendent (beyond body) reality that Linga worship symbolizes.
It suggests śmaśāna-smaraṇa (contemplation of impermanence) to cultivate detachment, along with steady devotion to Shiva through mantra-japa (especially the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as the inner refuge beyond bodily change.