Shloka 14
Nāgeśa-jyotirliṅga-prādurbhāvaḥ — The Manifestation of the Nāgeśa Jyotirliṅga
यदा यज्ञा न हन्येरंस्तदा प्राणैर्वियोजिताः । भवंतु राक्षसास्सर्वे सत्यमेतन्मयोच्यते
yadā yajñā na hanyeraṃstadā prāṇairviyojitāḥ | bhavaṃtu rākṣasāssarve satyametanmayocyate
“If ever the sacrifices (yajñas) are not to be harmed, then let all those who obstruct them be severed from their life-breath. Let them all become rākṣasas—this is the truth that I declare.”
Suta Goswami (narrating the puranic account to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
The verse emphasizes that dharmic worship—especially yajña as a sacred offering—must be protected from forces of adharma. In Shaiva understanding, obstructing holy rites hardens the soul into tamasic, rākṣasa-like tendencies, distancing it from Shiva’s grace and inner purity.
Yajña and Linga-worship share the same principle: offering the self and its fruits to the Lord. Saguna Shiva is invoked as the protector of sacred order; thus, preventing disruption of worship aligns with honoring Shiva as Pati (Lord) who upholds dharma and grants auspiciousness.
The practical takeaway is protection of worship through disciplined sadhana: recitation of Shiva mantras (especially the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), maintaining ritual purity, and performing offerings without hostility—so that the rite remains sattvic and free from obstructive, tamasic impulses.