Shloka 37
Nāgeśa-jyotirliṅga-prādurbhāvaḥ — The Manifestation of the Nāgeśa Jyotirliṅga
कदाचिद्राक्षसी सा च निस्सृता नगराज्जले । रुद्ध्वा मार्गं स्थिता लोकपीडार्थं धरणौ च हि
kadācidrākṣasī sā ca nissṛtā nagarājjale | ruddhvā mārgaṃ sthitā lokapīḍārthaṃ dharaṇau ca hi
Once, that rākṣasī emerged from the watery region near the city. Blocking the way, she stood upon the earth, intent on tormenting the people.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse sets up a local crisis (rākṣasī emerging from waters, obstructing passage) that functions as narrative ground for later divine intervention.
Significance: Illustrates the existential condition of beings obstructed by pāśa (bondage) and the need for Śiva’s anugraha later in the narrative arc.
FAQs
The verse portrays adharmic obstruction (pīḍā of the loka) as a catalyst for turning toward Pati (Śiva), who restores order; in Shaiva Siddhanta terms, such suffering highlights the need for divine grace (anugraha) to overcome pasha-like impediments.
Kotirudrasaṃhitā commonly frames crises around sacred places and Shiva’s protective presence; worship of the Liṅga as Saguna Śiva is approached as taking refuge in the Lord’s accessible form to remove external and internal obstacles that block one’s path.
A practical takeaway is to steady the mind and repeat the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") for protection and clarity when facing obstruction, supported by simple Shaiva observances like vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and focused japa.