Shloka 20
Harīśvara-liṅga Mahimā and the Origin-Context of Viṣṇu’s Sudarśana (हरिश्वरलिङ्गमहिमा तथा सुदर्शनप्राप्तिकथा)
परीक्षार्थं विष्णुभक्तेस्तदा वै शंकरेण ह । कमलानां सहस्रात्तु हृतमेकं च नीरजम्
parīkṣārthaṃ viṣṇubhaktestadā vai śaṃkareṇa ha | kamalānāṃ sahasrāttu hṛtamekaṃ ca nīrajam
Để thử thách lòng sùng kính của Viṣṇu, chính Śaṅkara khi ấy đã lấy đi một đóa sen khỏi một ngàn đóa sen đã chuẩn bị cho lễ thờ phụng.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Śiva’s ‘removal of one lotus’ is a narrative emblem of tirodhāna (veiling/withholding) used compassionately as parīkṣā to mature the devotee; it is not tied to a specific Jyotirliṅga locale in the quoted passage.
Significance: Teaches pilgrims that apparent obstacles in worship can be Śiva’s pedagogical concealment, intended to intensify surrender and single-pointed devotion.
Role: teaching
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It shows that true bhakti is proved when devotion remains steady even if the external means of worship are reduced; Shiva’s “testing” reveals the devotee’s inner surrender and single-pointed intent.
The episode emphasizes Saguna worship—offering flowers and completing a vowed count—yet teaches that the Linga is pleased primarily by unwavering devotion; Shiva may alter circumstances to reveal the worshipper’s authenticity.
Maintain a fixed vrata or japa count with sincerity; if an offering becomes unavailable, substitute with heartfelt devotion and mantra (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) rather than abandoning worship.