Sunartaka-Naṭa Avatāra and Pārvatī’s Boon-Request (Śiva as the Testing Benefactor)
यदा हि कालिका देवी पार्वती हिमवत्सुता । तेपे तपस्तुविमलं वनं गत्वा शिवाप्तये
yadā hi kālikā devī pārvatī himavatsutā | tepe tapastuvimalaṃ vanaṃ gatvā śivāptaye
جب دیوی کالیکا—ہِمَوان کی دختر پاروتی—شیو کی پرाप्तی کے لیے جنگل گئیں، تب انہوں نے بے داغ اور پاکیزہ تپسیا کی۔
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: The verse sets the archetype of Devī’s tapas for Śiva—an origin-pattern echoed in many sthala traditions where the Goddess performs austerities to manifest Śiva’s presence, but no specific Jyotirliṅga is named here.
Significance: Models the inner pilgrimage: withdrawal to solitude (vana) and tapas as the means to Śiva-sākṣātkāra (attainment/realization).
Shakti Form: Kālī
Role: liberating
It presents Pārvatī’s pure tapas as the model of disciplined devotion: the soul approaches Pati (Śiva) through inner purification, steadfast practice, and single-pointed intent to realize Śiva’s grace.
Her aim is “Śiva-attainment,” approached here through saguna-bhakti and yogic austerity—an attitude that in practice aligns with Linga-worship as a focused support for devotion, purity, and meditative absorption in Śiva.
The verse highlights tapas (austere sādhanā) and purity; a practical takeaway is regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with disciplined vows, simple living, and steady meditation directed to Śiva.