Shloka 21
ज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्य-प्रस्तावना तथा सोमनाथ-प्रसङ्गः
Prologue to the Glory and Origin of the Jyotirliṅgas; Somnātha Episode Begins
विज्ञापिताश्च चन्द्रेण सर्वे शक्रादयस्सुराः । ऋषयश्च वसिष्ठाद्या ब्रह्माणं शरणं ययु
vijñāpitāśca candreṇa sarve śakrādayassurāḥ | ṛṣayaśca vasiṣṭhādyā brahmāṇaṃ śaraṇaṃ yayu
ചന്ദ്രൻ അറിയിച്ചതിനാൽ, ശക്രൻ (ഇന്ദ്രൻ) മുതലായ എല്ലാ ദേവന്മാരും വസിഷ്ഠൻ മുതലായ ഋഷിമാരും ശരണാർത്ഥം ബ്രഹ്മാവിന്റെ അടുക്കലേക്ക് പോയി।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse sets up a crisis narrative (Candra’s affliction) that will later require divine resolution.
Significance: General purāṇic teaching: even devas and ṛṣis seek higher refuge when bound by karma and curse; encourages śaraṇāgati and humility.
Cosmic Event: Devas and ṛṣis respond to a curse-driven cosmic imbalance (a dharmic crisis affecting worlds).
FAQs
The verse highlights śaraṇāgati—seeking refuge when cosmic order is disturbed. Even devas and great ṛṣis, despite their power and austerity, acknowledge a higher guiding authority and move together in humility, a key Shaiva virtue that ultimately culminates in turning toward Shiva as the supreme protector (Pati).
Narratively, the devas’ appeal to Brahmā often functions as a step that leads to Shiva’s intervention through a manifest (saguṇa) form—frequently connected with a sacred tīrtha or Jyotirlinga setting in the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā. It underscores that divine help becomes accessible through Shiva’s gracious manifestation, which devotees approach via Linga-worship.
The practical takeaway is to adopt śaraṇa-bhāva (the attitude of taking refuge): daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” coupled with a brief prayer of surrender before worship. If following Shaiva custom, this can be supported with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) application and mindful remembrance of Shiva as the ultimate refuge.