Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 20
Nāgeśa-jyotirliṅga-prādurbhāvaḥ — The Manifestation of the Nāgeśa Jyotirliṅga
तथैव स्थीयते चेद्वै भक्ष्यते किं परस्परम् । दुःखं हि सर्वथा जातं क एनं विनिवारयेत्
tathaiva sthīyate cedvai bhakṣyate kiṃ parasparam | duḥkhaṃ hi sarvathā jātaṃ ka enaṃ vinivārayet
અને જો આ જ રીતે ચાલતું રહે, તો પ્રાણીઓ પરસ્પર કેમ ભક્ષણ કરે? સર્વત્ર દુઃખ જ ઊભું થયું છે; તેને કોણ નિવારી શકે (જ્યાં સુધી આ પરસ્પર હિંસા રહે)?
Suta Goswami (narrating the puranic discourse to the sages, consistent with Kotirudra Saṃhitā framing)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse points to a core Shaiva ethical insight: when beings live by mutual consumption and harm, duḥkha becomes universal and self-perpetuating. Spiritual progress requires restraint and a turn toward dharma, so the heart becomes fit for Shiva’s grace (anugraha) and liberation.
Linga-worship is not only external ritual but an inner reorientation from violence and agitation to śānti and self-control. Approaching Saguna Shiva as the compassionate Lord implies embodying His dharmic qualities—reducing harm, cultivating purity, and seeking refuge in Shiva rather than in predatory impulses.
A practical takeaway is to adopt a vrata of restraint (saṃyama)—non-harming, moderation, and japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—especially on Mahāśivarātri, supported by simple worship with bhasma/tripuṇḍra and prayer for inner purification.