Shloka 9
शारभावतारवर्णनम्
Account of Śiva’s Śārabha Manifestation and the Measureless Avatāras
जयश्च विजयश्चैव भवद्भिः शापितौ यदा । तदा दितिसुतौ द्वौ तावभूतां कश्यपान्मुने
jayaśca vijayaścaiva bhavadbhiḥ śāpitau yadā | tadā ditisutau dvau tāvabhūtāṃ kaśyapānmune
जयश्च विजयश्चैव भवद्भिः शापितौ यदा । तदा दितिसुतौ द्वौ तावभूतां कश्यपान्मुने ॥
Suta Goswami (narrating the Purāṇic account to the sages, within the Śatarudrasaṃhitā narrative frame)
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; it recalls the well-known motif of gatekeepers (Jaya–Vijaya) falling into asuric births due to a curse, illustrating karmic descent and divine administration.
Significance: Didactic: reinforces that even exalted beings undergo bondage when veiled by māyā and curse (śāpa), prompting humility and reliance on Śiva’s anugraha.
FAQs
It highlights the Purāṇic principle that even exalted beings can be drawn into embodied existence through the force of a curse (karma), underscoring the need for Shiva’s grace (anugraha) to transcend bondage and return to the divine order.
The verse points to the reality of karma and rebirth; in Shaiva practice, devotion to Saguna Shiva through Linga worship is a direct means to purify karmic impressions and seek the Lord’s protective governance (pālana) over one’s destiny.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as supports, offered with repentance and surrender to reduce karmic bondage and invite Shiva’s grace.