Shloka 17
ज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्य-प्रस्तावना तथा सोमनाथ-प्रसङ्गः
Prologue to the Glory and Origin of the Jyotirliṅgas; Somnātha Episode Begins
तच्छ्रुत्वा पुनरागत्य स्वयं दुःखसमन्वितः । प्रार्थयामास चन्द्रं स दक्षो दक्षस्सुनीतितः
tacchrutvā punarāgatya svayaṃ duḥkhasamanvitaḥ | prārthayāmāsa candraṃ sa dakṣo dakṣassunītitaḥ
Hearing that, Dakṣa returned again; overwhelmed with sorrow, that prudent Dakṣa then entreated Candra, the Moon.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; it narrates Dakṣa’s attempt at reconciliation before the curse takes effect, highlighting the failure of mere counsel when attachment dominates.
Significance: Moral instruction: even prudent counsel (sunīti) may fail without inner transformation; prepares the theological need for Śiva’s anugraha later.
FAQs
The verse highlights a key Shaiva ethical movement: when pride or conflict leads to suffering, one turns back with humility and seeks reconciliation through sincere prayer—an inner shift that prepares the soul (paśu) to loosen bondage (pāśa) and move toward grace.
Though the verse names Candra, the Kotirudra context orients such events toward Shiva’s sacred order: worldly authorities and celestial beings alike function within Shiva’s dispensation, and devotion matures into seeking the Lord’s protection—often culminating in Linga-centered remembrance and pilgrimage themes of this Saṃhitā.
The immediate takeaway is prārthanā (supplicatory prayer) with repentance and steadiness; as a Shaiva practice, one may pair this attitude with japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and simple worship (abhisheka or offering of water) to align the mind toward Shiva’s grace.