Shloka 11
Śivakṣetra–Tīrtha–Māhātmya
The Salvific Function of Shiva’s Sacred Domains
तत्र तीरं प्रशस्तं हि मृगे मृगबृहस्पतौ । शोणभद्रो दशमुखः पुण्योभीष्टफलप्रदः
tatra tīraṃ praśastaṃ hi mṛge mṛgabṛhaspatau | śoṇabhadro daśamukhaḥ puṇyobhīṣṭaphalapradaḥ
وہاں یقیناً نہایت ستائش یافتہ تیرتھ کا کنارہ ہے، جو برجِ مِرگ اور نَکشتر مِرگبِرہسپتی سے وابستہ ہے۔ وہ پاک مقام ‘شوṇبھدر’ ‘دَشمُکھ’ کے نام سے مشہور، نہایت پُنیہ بخش اور بھکتوں کو مطلوبہ پھل عطا کرنے والا ہے۔
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: The verse highlights a praised tīra connected with specific astral timing (mṛga / mṛga-bṛhaspati) and names Śoṇabhadra as a fruit-bestowing sacred locus, suggesting tīrtha-śakti activated by auspicious kāla (time) and deśa (place).
Significance: Bathing/visiting at the praised bank is said to grant abhīṣṭa-phala (desired outcomes), a typical Purāṇic promise of tīrtha as a means to reduce karmic bondage and gain worldly/spiritual boons.
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse praises a specific tīrtha (sacred riverbank) as a merit-filled field of grace where sincere devotion yields “abhīṣṭa-phala”—desired spiritual and worldly results—by Shiva’s sanction.
By glorifying a holy place as fruit-giving, it aligns with Saguna Shiva worship: devotees approach Shiva through consecrated locations and forms (including the Linga), where Shiva’s accessible presence blesses worship with tangible results.
Pilgrimage and tīrtha-sevā are implied: bathe or perform ācamana at the sacred bank, then offer Linga-pūjā with Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), alongside vibhūti (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudrāksha as traditional Shaiva observances.