Shloka 20
अवंतीस्थ-ब्राह्मणकथा तथा तृतीय-ज्योतिर्लिङ्गोपाख्यान-प्रस्तावना
Avanti Brahmin Narrative and Prelude to the Third Jyotirliṅga
तत्रागत्य स दैत्येन्द्रश्चतुरो दैत्यसत्तमान् । प्रोवाचाहूय वचनं विप्र द्रोही महाखलः
tatrāgatya sa daityendraścaturo daityasattamān | provācāhūya vacanaṃ vipra drohī mahākhalaḥ
Dort angekommen, rief der Herr der Daityas — überaus ruchlos und den Brāhmaṇas feind — vier der vorzüglichsten Daityas herbei und redete sie mit Worten an.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga-sthala passage; it sets up an adharma-driven conflict where anti-brāhmaṇa hostility becomes the narrative cause for Śiva’s later intervention/protection of dharma.
Significance: Didactic: warns pilgrims that hostility to Veda/brāhmaṇa (symbol of śāstra and yajña) is a mark of bondage (pāśa) and leads to downfall; encourages alignment with Śiva-dharma.
FAQs
The verse marks the rise of adharmic intent: hostility to vipras symbolizes hostility to sacred knowledge, yajña, and right conduct—forces that Shaiva Siddhanta sees as necessary supports for devotion and liberation under Shiva’s grace.
By portraying the daitya as “vipradrohī,” the text contrasts demonic disruption with the dharmic path upheld through Shiva worship—especially Linga-upāsanā, where reverence, purity, and protection of sacred order are central.
As a practical counter to adharmic tendencies, one may take refuge in Shiva through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and maintain sattvic discipline—such as respectful conduct toward teachers and daily remembrance of Shiva.