Dwadasha Jyotirlinga Stotram - 2

The Shloka

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श्रीशैलशृङ्गे विबुधातिसङ्गे तुलाद्रितुङ्गेऽपि मुदा वसन्तम् ।

तमर्जुनं मल्लिकपूर्वमेकं नमामि संसारसमुद्रसेतुम् ॥

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Shrīshailashṛiṅge vibudhātisange tulādrituṅge’pi mudā vasantam ।

tamarjīnaṃ mallikapūrvamekaṃ namāmi saṃsārasamudrasetum ॥

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Meaning / Summary

This shloka highlights the profound importance and spiritual power of the Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga at Srisailam. It emphasizes that Lord Shiva, in this benevolent form, resides happily in a divinely sanctified abode, indicating His accessibility to devotees. The mention of ‘Vibudhas’ (gods and sages) gathering there signifies the immense sanctity and spiritual vibrancy of Srisailam. Most significantly, it declares Lord Mallikarjuna as the ‘Samsara Samudra Setu’, meaning He is the ultimate savior and the essential bridge for devotees to cross the challenging and cyclical ocean of material existence (samsara), leading them towards spiritual liberation and freedom from suffering. Worshipping Mallikarjuna is believed to grant relief from worldly afflictions and foster profound spiritual growth.

I bow to that unique Mallikarjuna, who resides joyfully on the lofty peak of Srisailam mountain, a sacred place where many enlightened beings gather and which stands as high as a significant mountain, and who serves as a bridge across the ocean of worldly existence.

The shloka offers salutations to Lord Mallikarjuna, who resides blissfully on the high peak of Srisailam, a revered site where divine beings congregate. The devotee bows to this unparalleled form of Shiva, recognizing Him as the divine bridge that enables passage across the ocean of worldly existence and its inherent sufferings.

This verse is a devotional tribute to Lord Shiva in His sacred form as Mallikarjuna Jyotirlinga. It beautifully describes the revered abode of this Jyotirlinga, Srisailam, portraying it as a majestic mountain peak (Shri Shaila Shringa). This sacred mountain is depicted as a place where countless deities and enlightened sages (Vibudhātisaṅge) gather, underscoring its profound spiritual significance and purity. The mountain’s grandeur is further emphasized by describing it as ‘Tulādri Tunge,’ meaning it is as high as a balancing mountain, a common reference to the mythical Mount Meru, signifying its immense prominence and towering stature. The Lord, in this divine setting, is said to reside ‘Mudā Vasantam,’ happily and with great delight, indicating His benevolent and accessible nature to devotees. The latter part of the verse explicitly names the deity, ‘Tam Arjunam Mallikapurvamekam,’ referring to the unique Lord Mallikarjuna. In this compound name, ‘Mallika’ represents Goddess Parvati (or the jasmine flowers with which she is worshipped) and ‘Arjuna’ signifies Lord Shiva. The devotee humbly offers obeisance (‘Namāmi’) to this divine form, acknowledging Him as ‘Saṁsāra Samudra Setum,’ the bridge across the vast and turbulent ocean of worldly existence (samsara). This powerful metaphor signifies that devotion to Mallikarjuna provides the means for devotees to transcend the endless cycle of birth, death, and suffering, leading them towards ultimate spiritual liberation and peace.

Sentence - 1

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श्रीशैलशृङ्गे विबुधातिसङ्गे तुलाद्रितुङ्गेऽपि मुदा वसन्तम्

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Meaning

Who resides joyfully on the peak of Srisailam mountain, where many enlightened beings gather, and which is high like a significant mountain.

Meaning of Words

श्रीशैलशृङ्गे	Shrīshailashṛiṅge
On the peak of Srisailam Shrishaila refers to the sacred mountain Srisailam. Shṛinge means ‘on the peak’ or ‘on the summit,’ indicating the elevated and prominent location.
विबुधातिसङ्गे	vibudhātisange
Where many enlightened beings gather / in the company of many wise people/deities Vibudha means ‘enlightened beings,’ ‘gods,’ or ‘learned ones.’ Ati means ‘very much’ or ‘exceedingly.’ Sange means ‘in the company of’ or ‘where many gather,’ signifying a place frequented by divine and wise entities.
तुलाद्रितुङ्गेऽपि	tulādrituṅge’pi
Even on a mountain as high as a balancing peak (or Mount Meru) Tulādri literally means ‘a mountain of similar height’ or ‘a balancing mountain,’ often metaphorically referring to Mount Meru, symbolizing immense height, significance, and grandeur. Tuṅge means ‘high’ or ‘lofty.’ Api means ‘also’ or ‘even,’ emphasizing its great stature.
मुदा	mudā
Joyfully, happily This adverb signifies the pleasant and contented state in which the deity resides.
वसन्तम्	vasantam
Residing, dwelling This word indicates the act of dwelling or residing, emphasizing Lord Shiva’s presence at the described location.

Sentence - 2

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तमर्जुनं मल्लिकपूर्वमेकं नमामि संसारसमुद्रसेतुम् ॥

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Meaning

To that unique Mallikarjuna, who acts as a bridge across the ocean of worldly existence, I bow.

Meaning of Words

तम्	tam
To that A pronoun referring to the deity mentioned in the preceding part of the shloka.
अर्जुनम्	arjunam
Arjuna (part of the name Mallikarjuna) Refers to Lord Shiva, who is the ‘Arjuna’ in the compound name Mallikarjuna.
मल्लिकपूर्वम्	mallikapūrvam
The one preceded by Mallika (i.e., Mallikarjuna) Mallika refers to Goddess Parvati, who is also known by this name, or to jasmine flowers used in worship. Pūrvam means ‘preceding’ or ‘before.’ Together, it signifies ‘Mallika-preceded Arjuna,’ forming the name Mallikarjuna, where Mallika is the feminine aspect and Arjuna is the masculine aspect.
एकम्	ekam
Unique, one, unparalleled Emphasizes the singular and incomparable nature of the deity.
नमामि	namāmi
I bow, I salute A verb signifying an act of reverent salutation, obeisance, or worship.
संसारसमुद्रसेतुम्	saṃsārasamudrasetum
Who is the bridge across the ocean of worldly existence (samsara) Samsāra refers to the cycle of birth, death, and rebirth, the worldly existence filled with attachments and sufferings. Samudra means ‘ocean.’ Setum means ‘bridge.’ This compound metaphorically describes Lord Mallikarjuna as the means or path to cross over the tumultuous ocean of worldly life and attain liberation.

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