Shloka 40
Nāgeśa-jyotirliṅga-prādurbhāvaḥ — The Manifestation of the Nāgeśa Jyotirliṅga
आजग्मुर्नगरं ते च तानादाय महाबलाः । चिक्षिपुर्बन्धनागारे बद्ध्वा हि निगडैर्दृढैः
ājagmurnagaraṃ te ca tānādāya mahābalāḥ | cikṣipurbandhanāgāre baddhvā hi nigaḍairdṛḍhaiḥ
Then those mighty men went to the city, seized them, and after binding them fast with strong iron fetters, threw them into the prison-house.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; the physical binding and imprisonment literalize ‘bandhana’—a concrete image for metaphysical bondage (pāśa).
Significance: Didactic value: bondage is not merely abstract; it manifests as constraint, fear, and loss of freedom—prompting turning toward Pati for release.
FAQs
The verse depicts physical imprisonment, pointing to the Shaiva Siddhanta theme of pāśa (bondage): worldly power can bind the body, but only devotion and Shiva’s grace ultimately free the soul (paśu) from deeper karmic fetters.
In Jyotirlinga narratives, worldly authorities often oppose or restrain devotees; the Linga signifies Saguna Shiva as the accessible refuge beyond fear, reminding seekers to take shelter in Shiva rather than in changing political or bodily conditions.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—especially in adversity, along with simple Shaiva conduct such as applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and maintaining inner detachment from fear and anger.