Shloka 40
ज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्य-प्रस्तावना तथा सोमनाथ-प्रसङ्गः
Prologue to the Glory and Origin of the Jyotirliṅgas; Somnātha Episode Begins
दशकोटिमितं मन्त्रं समावृत्य शशी च तम् । ध्यात्वा मृत्युञ्जयं मन्त्रं तस्थौ निश्चलमानसः
daśakoṭimitaṃ mantraṃ samāvṛtya śaśī ca tam | dhyātvā mṛtyuñjayaṃ mantraṃ tasthau niścalamānasaḥ
Nachdem er die Mantra-Wiederholung im Maß von zehn koṭis vollendet hatte, versenkte sich der Mond (Śaśī) in das Mṛtyuñjaya-Mantra und stand mit unbewegtem Geist da, ganz in Śiva, dem Bezwinger des Todes, aufgegangen.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kotirudra Samhita account to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Jyotirlinga: Somanātha
Sthala Purana: The narrative emphasizes purascarana-like completion: Chandra finishes an immense japa-count (ten crores) and enters steady dhyāna, preparing the condition for Śiva’s direct manifestation at Prabhāsa.
Significance: Models ideal sādhana at Somnātha: large-scale japa culminating in dhyāna and mental steadiness, believed to yield protection from untimely death and inner purification.
Mantra: (implied) oṃ tryambakaṃ yajāmahe sugandhiṃ puṣṭivardhanam | urvārukamiva bandhanān mṛtyor mukṣīya mā'mṛtāt ||
Type: mahamrityunjaya
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches that liberation-oriented Shaiva practice is not only repetition (japa) but also inner absorption (dhyāna). By completing disciplined japa and then fixing the mind steadily on Mṛtyuñjaya Śiva, the seeker aligns with Pati (Śiva), who severs the bonds of fear and mortality.
Mṛtyuñjaya is a saguna form of Śiva revered for protection and victory over death. In Jyotirlinga-oriented narration, such worship typically culminates in focused contemplation of Śiva’s presence (often through the Liṅga as the stable support for dhyāna), moving the devotee from outer rite to inner realization.
A structured mantra-sādhana: sustained japa (even in vast counts, as described) followed by dhyāna—standing or sitting with a motionless mind while contemplating the Mṛtyuñjaya mantra and Lord Śiva as the death-conqueror.