Shloka 31
अवंतीस्थ-ब्राह्मणकथा तथा तृतीय-ज्योतिर्लिङ्गोपाख्यान-प्रस्तावना
Avanti Brahmin Narrative and Prelude to the Third Jyotirliṅga
ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः । श्रूयतां विद्यते नैव बलं दुष्टभयावहम् । न शस्त्राणि तथा संति यच्च ते विमुखाः पुनः
brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ | śrūyatāṃ vidyate naiva balaṃ duṣṭabhayāvaham | na śastrāṇi tathā saṃti yacca te vimukhāḥ punaḥ
The brāhmaṇas said: “Listen—there is truly no strength here that can inspire fear in the wicked. Nor do we possess such weapons; moreover, those who were on your side have again turned away from you.”
Brāhmaṇas (priests/sages present in the narrative)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
FAQs
It highlights that worldly power and weaponry are unreliable, especially when allies turn away; true protection is implied to rest in dharma and devotion to Lord Shiva rather than external force.
By stressing the insufficiency of material strength, it indirectly points seekers toward Saguna Shiva worship—taking refuge in Shiva through Linga-upāsanā, prayer, and surrender as the stable source of protection.
A practical takeaway is to replace anxiety about external threats with Shiva-smaraṇa—japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” along with simple Linga worship (water/abhisheka) as an act of refuge.