Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 48
शिवविहारवर्णनम् (Śivavihāra-varṇana) — “Description of Śiva’s Divine Pastimes/Sojourn”
स्तंभितस्त्रिजगत्प्राणो न जाने केन हेतुना । व्याकुलं मुनिभिर्लेखैस्त्रैलोक्यं सचराचरम्
staṃbhitastrijagatprāṇo na jāne kena hetunā | vyākulaṃ munibhirlekhaistrailokyaṃ sacarācaram
The very life-breath of the three worlds seemed arrested—I do not know for what reason. The entire threefold cosmos, with all that moves and all that is unmoving, became agitated by the proclamations and written decrees of the sages.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; it narrates a cosmic ‘stambhana’ (arresting) of the worlds’ prāṇa, suggestive of a divinely permitted concealment that drives beings toward seeking Śiva.
Significance: Interpretable as tirodhāna: when order is veiled, even devas recognize dependence on the Lord; the agitation of trailokya becomes a catalyst for turning toward grace.
Cosmic Event: Cosmic stasis/‘prāṇa-stambha’ affecting trailokya (a portent-like disturbance rather than pralaya).
FAQs
It depicts a cosmic “stoppage of prāṇa,” implying that when dharma and inner harmony are shaken, all beings—moving and unmoving—feel the disturbance; in Shaiva Siddhanta this underscores that stability ultimately rests in Pati (Lord Shiva), the ground of order and consciousness.
When the worlds are agitated, devotees turn to Saguna Shiva—worship of the Linga as the steady, auspicious center—seeking restoration of balance; the Linga symbolizes the unshaken reality of Shiva amid worldly upheaval.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with calm breath-awareness, along with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha as supports for grounding the mind when “prāṇa” feels disturbed.