Andhakeśvara-liṅga Māhātmya and Śiva’s Subjugation of Andhaka (अन्धकेश्वरलिङ्गमाहात्म्य तथा अन्धकवध-प्रसङ्ग)
शिवं प्रसादयामास पुत्रार्थे चण्डिका स्वयम् । क्रुद्धाऽक्रुद्धा पुनश्चण्डी तत्पुत्रस्य प्रसन्नधीः
śivaṃ prasādayāmāsa putrārthe caṇḍikā svayam | kruddhā'kruddhā punaścaṇḍī tatputrasya prasannadhīḥ
为求得一子,旃提迦(Caṇḍikā)亲自祈请并令主湿婆欢喜。她时而显现威烈,时而显现柔和;而同一位旃提(Caṇḍī)心念澄明安定,遂对那孩子施以慈恩。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Caṇḍikā
Role: nurturing
The verse highlights that Śiva is pleased through sincere propitiation (prasāda) and that inner composure (prasannadhī) transforms even fierce power into beneficence—showing devotion and grace as the bridge between human desire and divine blessing.
Propitiating Śiva here implies approaching Saguna Śiva—the accessible Lord who grants boons—often worshipped as the Śiva-liṅga in Purāṇic practice. The narrative emphasizes that devotion and right intent invite Śiva’s prasāda, which is central to liṅga-upāsanā.
A practical takeaway is Śiva-prasādana through bhakti: daily liṅga-pūjā with water/abhisheka, japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and maintaining a calm, sattvic mind (prasannadhī) while praying for righteous outcomes.