Shloka 19
ज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्य-प्रस्तावना तथा सोमनाथ-प्रसङ्गः
Prologue to the Glory and Origin of the Jyotirliṅgas; Somnātha Episode Begins
सूत उवाच । इत्युक्ते तेन चन्द्रो वै क्षयी जातः क्षणादिह । हाहाकारो महानासीत्तदेन्दौ क्षीणतां गते
sūta uvāca | ityukte tena candro vai kṣayī jātaḥ kṣaṇādiha | hāhākāro mahānāsīttadendau kṣīṇatāṃ gate
Sūta said: When he had spoken thus, the Moon at once began to waste away in that very moment. A great cry of distress arose when the lord of the night had fallen into emaciation.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Though not a Jyotirliṅga passage, Candra’s wasting (kṣaya) is a classic prelude in wider Śaiva myth to seeking Śiva’s protection—Śiva as the one who can bear, regulate, and restore lunar power (soma).
Significance: Contemplation of impermanence and the need for Śiva’s anugraha; motivates Śiva-upāsanā for relief from kṣaya/affliction (including ‘candra-doṣa’ in later devotional practice).
Cosmic Event: Cosmic imbalance: the lord of night enters kṣīṇatā (emaciation), threatening calendrical and ritual rhythms tied to the Moon.
FAQs
It shows the immediate fruit of karma: when a powerful word (often a curse or command within dharma) takes effect, even a celestial being like Chandra undergoes decline—highlighting that all conditioned beings are subject to limitation unless supported by Shiva’s grace.
Chandra’s wasting away points to the need for refuge in Saguna Shiva—worship of the Linga as the compassionate, accessible form of Pati (Lord) who can restore balance, relieve affliction, and re-establish dharma when the cosmos is disturbed.
Take refuge in Shiva through japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and Linga-pūjā; in times of decline, Shaiva practice emphasizes steady mantra, vibhūti (tripuṇḍra), and prayer for Shiva’s anugraha (grace).