Shloka 12
ज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्य-प्रस्तावना तथा सोमनाथ-प्रसङ्गः
Prologue to the Glory and Origin of the Jyotirliṅgas; Somnātha Episode Begins
कृतं चेत्तकृतं तच्च न कर्तव्यं त्वया पुनः । वर्तनं विषमत्वेन नरकप्रदमीरितम्
kṛtaṃ cettakṛtaṃ tacca na kartavyaṃ tvayā punaḥ | vartanaṃ viṣamatvena narakapradamīritam
If something has been done, do not treat it as though it were not done, and do not undertake it again. Such crooked conduct—marked by inconsistency and unfairness—is declared to lead to hellish consequences.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Jyotirlinga: Somanātha
Sthala Purana: In the Somanātha narrative frame, ethical deviation and duplicity are shown as causes that keep beings bound; the chapter culminates in Śiva’s self-manifest luminous liṅga that restores dharma and grants release from affliction.
Significance: Removes sin-born fear and stabilizes dharma; supports prāyaścitta and steadfastness (niṣṭhā) in vows and conduct.
FAQs
The verse teaches integrity in karma: once a duty, vow, or offering is properly completed, one should not deny it or manipulate it. Shaiva dharma emphasizes inner straightness (ārjava) as essential for receiving Shiva’s grace and avoiding binding karmic reactions.
Linga-worship is not only ritual but also ethical alignment. Approaching Saguna Shiva at a Jyotirlinga demands consistency in vows, offerings, and truthfulness; duplicity in conduct is treated as a spiritual fault that obstructs the fruit of darśana and pūjā.
Maintain a single, steady saṅkalpa (vow) during worship—complete what you begin, avoid repeating rites out of doubt or deceit, and accompany pūjā with japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) in a truthful and even-minded way.