Shloka 34
स्वायम्भुव-मन्वन्तर-वंशवर्णनम्
Genealogy of Svāyambhuva Manu and the Dhruva Episode
सोम उवाच । कोपं यच्छत राजानस्सर्वे प्राचीनबर्हिषः । अनुभूतानुकन्येयं वृक्षाणां वरवर्णिनी
soma uvāca | kopaṃ yacchata rājānassarve prācīnabarhiṣaḥ | anubhūtānukanyeyaṃ vṛkṣāṇāṃ varavarṇinī
Soma said: “O kings, all you descendants of Prācīnabarhis, restrain your wrath. This fair-hued maiden has already borne the consequences that arose from the trees.”
Soma
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Jyotirlinga: Somanātha
Sthala Purana: Soma’s role as a pacifier and restorer evokes Somnātha’s broader mythic identity: Soma approaches Śiva for relief and regains auspiciousness; here Soma similarly restrains destructive tapas and protects remaining life.
Significance: Somnātha is sought for renewal, calming of mental agitation, and restoration of auspiciousness—mirrored by Soma’s counsel to restrain anger.
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse teaches krodha-nigraha (restraint of anger) and compassion: when suffering has already been undergone as a karmic consequence, a Shaiva practitioner is urged to respond with discernment and forgiveness rather than retaliation—supporting inner purification needed for Shiva-realization.
Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is repeatedly linked with ethical discipline (yama-like virtues). Soma’s counsel to restrain anger aligns with approaching Saguna Shiva in the Linga through śuddhi (purity), kṣamā (forbearance), and a non-violent disposition—qualities that make devotion fruitful.
A practical takeaway is daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with a vow of krodha-tyāga (renouncing anger), optionally after applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder to remain cool-minded and compassionate.