Shloka 76
उपमन्युकुमारस्य क्षीरार्थ-प्रार्थना तथा शिवप्रसाद-निबन्धनम् | Upamanyu’s Longing for Milk and the Doctrine of Shiva’s Grace
इत्थन्ते वर्णितस्तात शिवस्य परमात्मनः । सुरेश्वरावतारो हि सर्वदा सुखदः सताम्
itthante varṇitastāta śivasya paramātmanaḥ | sureśvarāvatāro hi sarvadā sukhadaḥ satām
Như thế, hỡi người thân yêu, ta đã thuật cho con về sự giáng thế của Sureśvara—Chúa Śiva, Đấng Tự Ngã Tối Thượng. Quả thật, sự hiển lộ này luôn ban an lạc cát tường cho người hiền thiện và sùng kính.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya, inferred from Purana discourse style in the Śatarudrasaṃhitā)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: The verse functions as a narrative colophon: the ‘Sureśvara-avatāra’ (Śiva as Lord of the Devas) is concluded and declared intrinsically beneficent to the sādhus; no specific jyotirliṅga-sthala is invoked here.
Significance: Hearing/remembering Śiva’s avatāra as Sureśvara is framed as a direct source of sukha for sat-puruṣas (virtuous devotees).
FAQs
The verse emphasizes that Śiva, though the Paramātman (Supreme Self), compassionately assumes manifest forms (avatāras) for the welfare of devotees; remembering such descents strengthens bhakti and leads the sādhaka toward śiva-anugraha (Śiva’s grace).
By calling Śiva the Paramātman yet praising His avatāra, the verse bridges Nirguṇa truth and Saguṇa worship: devotees approach the transcendent Śiva through accessible forms—Linga worship, icon worship, and narrative remembrance—receiving auspiciousness and inner joy.
A practical takeaway is to do nāma-smaraṇa and japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—while contemplating Śiva’s compassionate manifestations, dedicating the merit for sattva, peace, and steadfast devotion.