भैरवावतारवर्णनम् (Bhairavāvatāra-varṇanam) — “Description of the Descent/Manifestation of Bhairava”
नन्दीश्वर उवाच । इत्येवमुक्तोऽपि तदा विधेर्विष्णोश्च वै तदा । नाज्ञानमगमन्नाशं श्रीकण्ठस्यैव मायया
nandīśvara uvāca | ityevamukto'pi tadā vidherviṣṇośca vai tadā | nājñānamagamannāśaṃ śrīkaṇṭhasyaiva māyayā
难提伊湿伐罗说道:即便如此宣说,当时造物主毗达塔(梵天)与毗湿奴的无明仍未止息——皆因室利坎塔(主湿婆)自身的幻力(māyā)。
Nandishvara (Nandi)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Śrīkaṇṭha
It teaches that even exalted cosmic deities like Brahmā and Viṣṇu can remain under ajñāna when Śiva’s māyā veils true knowledge; liberation arises by Śiva’s grace, not merely by status or power.
The verse underscores that Śiva, as Śrīkaṇṭha, can both conceal and reveal; Linga/Saguna worship is a grace-filled means by which the veiling māyā is lifted and the devotee recognizes Śiva as the supreme Pati.
A practical takeaway is humble japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with Śiva-bhakti, seeking Śiva’s anugraha (grace) to remove ajñāna—rather than relying on intellectual pride.