Shloka 2
मित्रसह-राज्ञो रक्षत्व-शापकथा — The Curse that Turns King Mitrasaha into a Rakshasa
Vasiṣṭha’s Śāpa Narrative
तस्य राज्ञः सुधर्मिष्ठा मदयन्ती प्रिया शुभा । दमयन्ती नलस्येव बभूव विदिता सती
tasya rājñaḥ sudharmiṣṭhā madayantī priyā śubhā | damayantī nalasyeva babhūva viditā satī
Raja itu mempunyai permaisuri yang diberkati dan dikasihi, bernama Madayantī, yang sangat teguh dalam dharma. Dia masyhur sebagai wanita suci dan mulia—seperti Damayantī, isteri Nala.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya in the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā’s Jyotirlinga-centered account)
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: The queen Madayantī is introduced as sudharmiṣṭhā and satī; such characterization typically foreshadows a crisis and a vow/appeal that draws Śiva’s intervention, a common structure in liṅga-māhātmya narratives.
Significance: Highlights the Purāṇic ethic that chastity, dharma, and steadfastness intensify the efficacy of vrata, śravaṇa, and liṅga-sevā—preconditions for receiving anugraha.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It establishes the queen as a dharma-rooted, satī (morally steadfast) figure, indicating that inner purity and righteous conduct are supportive conditions for receiving Shiva’s grace within Jyotirlinga-centered narratives.
By highlighting exemplary virtue and chastity, the verse frames the household as a fit adhikāra (spiritual readiness) for Saguna Shiva worship—where devotion, purity, and dharma strengthen one’s approach to the Jyotirlinga.
The practical takeaway is dharma-based living alongside Shiva-bhakti—daily remembrance of Shiva (japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with purity of conduct, which the Purana repeatedly treats as the foundation for fruitful pilgrimage and worship.