Shloka 3
Nāgeśa-jyotirliṅga-prādurbhāvaḥ — The Manifestation of the Nāgeśa Jyotirliṅga
बहुभी राक्षसैस्तत्र चकार कदनं सताम् । यज्ञध्वंसं च लोकानां धर्मध्वंसं तदाकरोत्
bahubhī rākṣasaistatra cakāra kadanaṃ satām | yajñadhvaṃsaṃ ca lokānāṃ dharmadhvaṃsaṃ tadākarot
അവിടെ അവൻ അനേകം രാക്ഷസന്മാരോടുകൂടെ സജ്ജനന്മാരെ കൂട്ടക്കൊല ചെയ്തു; ജനങ്ങളുടെ യജ്ഞങ്ങളെ തകർത്തു, അന്നേരം ധർമ്മത്തെയും നശിപ്പിച്ചു.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Jyotirlinga: Nāgeśvara
Sthala Purana: This verse describes the adharma caused by Dāruka and rākṣasas—slaughter of the righteous and destruction of yajñas—forming the narrative backdrop for Śiva’s later intervention and the manifestation of Nāgeśvara as a protective jyotirliṅga that restores dharma and safeguards devotees from fear and demonic oppression.
Significance: Protection from fear, enemies, and malignant forces; restoration of dharmic order; assurance of Śiva’s anugraha to the oppressed.
Type: stotra
FAQs
The verse highlights how adharma manifests by attacking the sādhus and disrupting yajña—the outward expression of inner order—showing the need for steadfast Shaiva devotion and dharmic living to restore harmony under Pati (Shiva), the Lord who upholds cosmic balance.
When yajñas and dharma are shattered, the Purana repeatedly points seekers to Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga worship—as a stabilizing refuge that re-establishes purity, protection, and right order, preparing the mind for Shiva’s grace.
A practical takeaway is to strengthen daily Shiva-upāsanā: japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with a dharmic resolve, and traditional Shaiva observances like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as supports for steadiness amid disorder.