Shloka 37
संध्याचरित्रवर्णनम् (Sandhyā-caritra-varṇana) — “Account of Sandhyā’s Story”
मंदाक्षमभवत्तस्याः पुरा दृष्ट्वैव कामुकान् । युष्मान्मां च तथात्मानं सकामां मुनिसत्तम
maṃdākṣamabhavattasyāḥ purā dṛṣṭvaiva kāmukān | yuṣmānmāṃ ca tathātmānaṃ sakāmāṃ munisattama
Wahai muni yang paling utama, dahulu—hanya dengan melihat orang-orang yang dikuasai nafsu—pandangan matanya menjadi tertunduk. Dan dia menganggap engkau, aku, bahkan dirinya sendiri masih tersentuh oleh keinginan (kāma).
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pasha
Sthala Purana: The verse diagnoses kāma (desire) as a binding force; it is ethical-psychological groundwork for later purification, not a Jyotirliṅga episode.
Significance: Teaches vairāgya: recognizing desire as bondage is itself a step toward liberation; pilgrims/aspirants are urged to cultivate modesty and inner restraint.
FAQs
The verse highlights viveka and vairāgya: recognizing how kāma (desire) can color perception, and turning inward toward purity so the mind becomes fit for Shiva-bhakti and liberation.
By contrasting desire-tainted vision with a purified outlook, it implies that Linga/Saguna Shiva worship is most fruitful when approached with self-restraint, devotion, and inner cleanliness rather than passion-driven motives.
A practical takeaway is cultivating dispassion through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined conduct; this steadies the gaze and mind away from kāma and toward Shiva.