Shloka 22
Durgama’s Seizure of the Vedas and the Gods’ Refuge in Yogamāyā (दुर्गमकृतवेदनाशः—योगमायाशरणगमनम्)
समेत्योचुस्तदा देवा भवत्या तोषिता जनाः । वेदान्देहि कृपां कृत्वा दुर्गमेण समाहृताम्
sametyocustadā devā bhavatyā toṣitā janāḥ | vedāndehi kṛpāṃ kṛtvā durgameṇa samāhṛtām
ਤਦੋਂ ਦੇਵਤੇ ਇਕੱਠੇ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਬੋਲੇ, “ਹੇ ਦੇਵੀ, ਤੁਸੀਂ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਪ੍ਰਸੰਨ ਕੀਤਾ ਹੈ। ਕਿਰਪਾ ਕਰਕੇ ਦੁਰਗਮ ਵੱਲੋਂ ਇਕੱਠੇ ਕੀਤੇ ਵੇਦ ਸਾਨੂੰ ਬਖ਼ਸ਼ੋ।”
The Devas (gods), addressing Goddess (Umā/Parvatī)
Tattva Level: pasha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; the devas petition Devī to return the Vedas seized/withheld by the asura Durgama—restoring śruti as the backbone of dharma.
Significance: Positions Veda-restoration as a supreme boon; encourages śāstra-protection, recitation, and teaching as devotional service.
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: Dharma-crisis: Vedas removed by an asuric force (concealment of knowledge), prompting divine petition.
FAQs
It portrays divine grace as the restorer of dharma: when sacred knowledge is obstructed by adharma (Durgama), the Devas seek the compassionate power of the Goddess, aligned with Shiva, to re-establish the Vedas for the welfare of the worlds.
The verse highlights Saguna divinity working through compassionate intervention—Uma (Shiva’s Shakti) protects Vedic order, which undergirds Linga-worship, mantra, and ritual; devotion to Shiva-with-Shakti safeguards both spiritual practice and right knowledge.
A practical takeaway is prayerful surrender (śaraṇāgati) to Shiva and Uma for the protection of one’s spiritual study—supported by japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and reverent recitation/listening to Vedic or Shaiva hymns.