Shloka 23
Gaṅgā-Avataraṇa and the Naming of Gaṅgādvāra (गङ्गावतरणम्—गङ्गाद्वारप्रसिद्धिः)
ऋषय ऊचुः । अस्माभिरन्यथा सूत श्रुतं तद्वर्णयामहे । गौतमस्तान्द्विजान् क्रुद्धश्शशापेति प्रबुध्यताम्
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | asmābhiranyathā sūta śrutaṃ tadvarṇayāmahe | gautamastāndvijān kruddhaśśaśāpeti prabudhyatām
The sages said: “O Sūta, we have heard this account in a different way; therefore we shall relate it accordingly. Let it be clearly understood that Gautama, angered, pronounced a curse upon those twice-born men (dvija).”
The sages (ṛṣis) at Naimiṣāraṇya
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights the importance of accurate transmission of sacred history and warns that even among the learned, anger can lead to karmic consequences; Shaiva teaching favors humility, truthfulness, and inner purification as supports for Shiva-bhakti.
In Kotirudra contexts, such narratives frame why devotees seek Shiva’s grace at Jyotirlingas: the Linga signifies Shiva as the compassionate Pati who can purify faults born of passion (like anger) when approached with repentance and devotion.
The takeaway is restraint and purification: calm the mind with japa of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and, where appropriate, adopt Shaiva marks like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder of self-control and surrender to Shiva.