Shloka 23
गौतमविघ्नप्रकरणम्
Episode of Obstacles to Gautama; Gaṇeśa’s Appearing Through Misguided Worship
पुनश्चायमृषिश्रेष्ठो दास्यते वस्सुखं ध्रुवम् । तारणं न च युक्तं स्याद्वरमन्यं वृणीत वै
punaścāyamṛṣiśreṣṭho dāsyate vassukhaṃ dhruvam | tāraṇaṃ na ca yuktaṃ syādvaramanyaṃ vṛṇīta vai
Again, this foremost of sages will surely grant you happiness. Yet to carry him across—meaning to free him directly—would not be proper; therefore, indeed choose some other boon.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kotirudrasaṃhitā account to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse emphasizes dharmic restraint in granting or seeking “instant liberation.” Even a powerful sage’s grace is to be received in harmony with cosmic order—happiness and upliftment may be granted, but moksha is not treated as a casual favor divorced from spiritual maturity and right means.
In the Kotirudra context—centered on Jyotirlinga glory—true ‘tāraṇa’ (crossing saṃsāra) is ultimately Shiva’s domain, approached through Saguna Shiva worship (Linga, pilgrimage, devotion) and inner transformation, rather than being demanded as a mere boon from intermediaries.
The practical takeaway is to seek boons that support sādhana—regular Linga-pūjā, japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and disciplined vrata—rather than asking for shortcuts; such practices prepare the soul for Shiva’s liberating grace.