Shloka 9
Nāgeśa-jyotirliṅga-prādurbhāvaḥ — The Manifestation of the Nāgeśa Jyotirliṅga
लोका ऊचुः । महर्षे शरणं देहि नो चेद्दुष्टैश्च मारिताः । सर्वं कर्तुं समर्थोसि तेजसा दीप्तिमानसि
lokā ūcuḥ | maharṣe śaraṇaṃ dehi no cedduṣṭaiśca māritāḥ | sarvaṃ kartuṃ samarthosi tejasā dīptimānasi
The people said: “O great sage, grant us refuge; otherwise we shall be slain by the wicked. You can accomplish all things, for you shine with tejas, radiant spiritual power.”
The people (lokāḥ), addressing a great sage (maharṣi)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: The plea for refuge from ‘the wicked’ is a common Purāṇic trigger for Śiva’s protective descent or for sanctifying a place through a liṅga’s appearance; however, this verse remains at the petition stage without naming a site.
Significance: Cultivates śaraṇāgati and trust in dharmic power (tejas). Pilgrimage-ethos: approaching a sanctified person/place as a step toward divine protection.
FAQs
It highlights śaraṇāgati (taking refuge): when adharma threatens life and order, devotees and the afflicted seek protection through a realized sage whose tejas is aligned with Shiva’s sustaining grace.
The appeal for refuge mirrors Linga-worship’s core mood—approaching Saguna Shiva as the immediate protector and Lord of dharma—often mediated through sages who guide devotees to Shiva’s presence and remedies.
A practical takeaway is prayerful surrender with japa—especially the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—seeking protection, steadiness of mind, and dharmic resolve under the guidance of a guru or sage.