Shloka 28
ज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्य-प्रस्तावना तथा सोमनाथ-प्रसङ्गः
Prologue to the Glory and Origin of the Jyotirliṅgas; Somnātha Episode Begins
तां च गर्भवतीं दृष्ट्वा न गृह्णामीति सोऽब्रवीत् । अस्माभिर्वारितो जीवः कृच्छ्राज्जग्राह तां तदा
tāṃ ca garbhavatīṃ dṛṣṭvā na gṛhṇāmīti so'bravīt | asmābhirvārito jīvaḥ kṛcchrājjagrāha tāṃ tadā
Seeing that she was pregnant, he said, “I will not accept her.” Yet that embodied soul—though restrained by us—at that time took her with great difficulty.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya, inferred from Purana dialogue convention in the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā narrative flow)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
FAQs
The verse highlights the tension between discernment (refusing what is improper or burdensome) and the jīva’s karmic compulsion: even when checked, the embodied soul may still act under the force of past impressions (saṃskāras). From a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, this underscores bondage (pāśa) and the need for Shiva’s grace to transcend compulsive karma.
It indirectly points to why Saguna Shiva worship (Linga devotion, mantra, and vrata) is prescribed: the jīva often cannot master karmic momentum by willpower alone. Devotion to Shiva as the compassionate Lord (Pati) becomes the means for purification and restraint of the senses, leading toward steadiness and liberation.
A practical takeaway is to strengthen inner restraint through Shiva-upāsanā: daily japa of the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” coupled with simple purity observances (e.g., Tripuṇḍra bhasma and mindful conduct), to reduce impulsive karmic actions and cultivate dharmic clarity.