Shloka 257
ज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्य-प्रस्तावना तथा सोमनाथ-प्रसङ्गः
Prologue to the Glory and Origin of the Jyotirliṅgas; Somnātha Episode Begins
समाश्रितस्तदा दैत्यान्युद्धं देवैश्चकार ह । मयाऽत्रिणा निषिद्धश्च तस्मै तारां ददौ शशी
samāśritastadā daityānyuddhaṃ devaiścakāra ha | mayā'triṇā niṣiddhaśca tasmai tārāṃ dadau śaśī
Alors, s’étant réfugié auprès des Daityas, il fit réellement la guerre aux Devas. Mais il fut retenu par moi et par le sage Atri ; c’est pourquoi la Lune (Śaśī) lui remit Tārā.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shakti Form: Tārā
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights that even powerful beings become bound when they seek support in adharmic forces; restraint by sages restores dharma, showing that spiritual authority (tapas and right counsel) can pacify conflict.
In the Shiva Purana’s Shaiva frame, dharma is safeguarded by aligning one’s actions with Śiva as Pati (the guiding Lord). Linga-worship symbolizes steadiness and self-restraint—qualities contrasted here with impulsive warfare.
The implied takeaway is self-restraint supported by mantra-japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—along with sattvic discipline; this is the inner ‘niṣedha’ that prevents the mind from entering conflict.