Shloka 38
अवंतीस्थ-ब्राह्मणकथा तथा तृतीय-ज्योतिर्लिङ्गोपाख्यान-प्रस्तावना
Avanti Brahmin Narrative and Prelude to the Third Jyotirliṅga
महाकालस्समुत्पन्नो दुष्टानां त्वादृशामहम् । खल त्वं ब्राह्मणानां हि समीपाद्दूरतो व्रज
mahākālassamutpanno duṣṭānāṃ tvādṛśāmaham | khala tvaṃ brāhmaṇānāṃ hi samīpāddūrato vraja
“I am Mahākāla, arisen to chastise the wicked like you. O vile one, go far away—keep away from the proximity of the brāhmaṇas.”
Lord Shiva as Mahākāla (manifest form)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahākāla
Jyotirlinga: Mahākāleśvara
Sthala Purana: Mahākāla declares his purpose: to chastise the wicked and to enforce the sanctity of brāhmaṇas/devotees—mirroring the temple’s protective-kṣetra identity where adharma is repelled.
Significance: Affirms kṣetra-rakṣā: the Lord guards sacred persons and spaces; devotees seek protection from hostility and restoration of dharmic order.
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse presents Shiva as Mahākāla—Time and righteous retribution—who manifests to restrain adharma and to protect the sanctity of those devoted to Vedic dharma, urging the wicked to withdraw from holy company.
Mahākāla is a Saguna (manifest) expression of Shiva’s protective grace; in Jyotirliṅga contexts, the Liṅga stands as the living presence of Shiva that safeguards sacred order and repels impure intentions from holy precincts.
The takeaway is to cultivate purity and reverence—approach Shiva’s shrine with humility, repeat the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and maintain dharmic conduct, especially respect for brāhmaṇas and saintly devotees.