Shloka 6
ज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्य-प्रस्तावना तथा सोमनाथ-प्रसङ्गः
Prologue to the Glory and Origin of the Jyotirliṅgas; Somnātha Episode Begins
चन्द्रं च स्वामिनं प्राप्य शोभमाना विशेषतः । चन्द्रोऽपि चैव ताः प्राप्य शोभते स्म निरन्तरम्
candraṃ ca svāminaṃ prāpya śobhamānā viśeṣataḥ | candro'pi caiva tāḥ prāpya śobhate sma nirantaram
ചന്ദ്രനെ സ്വാമിയായി പ്രാപിച്ചതോടെ അവർ പ്രത്യേക ദീപ്തിയോടെ ശോഭിച്ചു; ചന്ദ്രനും അവരെ പ്രാപിച്ച് നിരന്തരം പ്രകാശിച്ചു.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Jyotirlinga: Somanātha
Sthala Purana: Describes the mutual splendor of Candra and the Nakṣatra wives—an auspicious beginning that will later turn into imbalance (partiality), leading to curse and the need for Śiva’s restorative grace at Somanātha.
Significance: Teaches that worldly/cosmic brilliance is contingent and can be eclipsed by dharma-breach; the kṣetra’s promise is restoration through Śiva’s anugraha.
FAQs
The verse highlights a Shaiva principle: true splendor (śobhā) arises through right relationship—when beings align with their rightful lord and dharma, their inherent luminosity manifests; likewise, the lord’s glory is expressed through the harmony of his dependents. In Shaiva Siddhanta language, grace (anugraha) reveals the soul’s capacity when order and devotion are restored.
In Kotirudrasaṃhitā, narratives often point toward Saguna Shiva’s grace as the regulator of cosmic order. Just as the Moon shines steadily when properly situated with his associated powers, the devotee’s life becomes steady and radiant through Linga worship—approaching Shiva as the visible, worshipable source of auspiciousness (śiva) and stability.
A practical takeaway is steadiness (nirantara) in daily Shiva-upāsanā: regular japa of the Panchākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), maintaining purity with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma), and offering water to the Linga with an intent for inner clarity—so one’s mind reflects consciousness as the Moon reflects light.