Shloka 20
वरं प्राणास्त्याज्यास्तव मम तु संग्रामसमये भवान्साक्षीभूतः क्षणमपि वृतः कार्यकरणे
varaṃ prāṇāstyājyāstava mama tu saṃgrāmasamaye bhavānsākṣībhūtaḥ kṣaṇamapi vṛtaḥ kāryakaraṇe
Better that life itself be given up; but in the time of battle, you must not withdraw even for a moment. Remain as my witness and be engaged in accomplishing the task.
A warrior-leader addressing an ally/attendant in the battle narrative (as narrated by Suta Goswami)
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; it is a martial exhortation emphasizing steadfastness and ‘sākṣitva’ (witnessing) in accomplishing a duty.
FAQs
It elevates steadfast dharma over self-preservation: even life is secondary to unwavering commitment, while the idea of being a “witness” (sākṣī) hints at the Shaiva inner discipline of acting firmly yet remaining inwardly aware under the Lord’s sovereignty.
In Shaiva devotion, Saguna Shiva is the divine overseer of righteous action; invoking “witnesshood” aligns with offering one’s actions to Shiva—performing duty without wavering, as if before the Linga, the ever-present sign of the Lord.
Adopt sākṣī-bhāva in japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”): act decisively in your duties while mentally offering results to Shiva; reinforce steadiness with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and a daily vow of disciplined practice.