Shloka 35
अनरण्य-वंशवर्णनम् तथा पिप्पलादस्य कामोत्पत्तिः
Genealogy of King Anaraṇya and Pippalāda’s arousal of desire
पूज्याः पुत्राश्च भृत्याश्च मूर्च्छामापुर्नृपं विना । शुशुचुः श्वाससंयुक्तं ज्ञात्वा सर्वेपरे जनाः
pūjyāḥ putrāśca bhṛtyāśca mūrcchāmāpurnṛpaṃ vinā | śuśucuḥ śvāsasaṃyuktaṃ jñātvā sarvepare janāḥ
Without the king, the venerable elders, his sons, and the attendants fell into a swoon. And all the other people, realizing that he was still breathing, wept aloud.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Purāṇic account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; depicts social disorientation when the royal ‘support’ vanishes—an image of tirodhāna (concealment) where worldly supports fail, pushing the paśu to seek the true Pati.
Significance: Didactic: recognition that dependence on worldly protectors is unstable; encourages refuge in Śiva as the only unfailing support.
FAQs
It highlights how worldly support—even a righteous king—can vanish in a moment, stirring grief and collapse; Shaiva teaching points the mind toward the only stable refuge: devotion to Pati (Lord Śiva), the Lord beyond change.
The scene of helplessness and sorrow sets the narrative ground for seeking Saguna Śiva—worshipped as the Liṅga—as the compassionate protector; Liṅga-bhakti is presented as a steady support when human authority and security fail.
In moments of fear or grief, steady the prāṇa with japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and mentally offer the agitation at Śiva’s feet; this is a practical Shaiva remedy for restoring inner balance.