Shloka 23
Gaṅgā-Avataraṇa and the Naming of Gaṅgādvāra (गङ्गावतरणम्—गङ्गाद्वारप्रसिद्धिः)
ऋषय ऊचुः । अस्माभिरन्यथा सूत श्रुतं तद्वर्णयामहे । गौतमस्तान्द्विजान् क्रुद्धश्शशापेति प्रबुध्यताम्
ṛṣaya ūcuḥ | asmābhiranyathā sūta śrutaṃ tadvarṇayāmahe | gautamastāndvijān kruddhaśśaśāpeti prabudhyatām
ఋషులు అన్నారు—ఓ సూతా, మేము ఈ వృత్తాంతాన్ని వేరే విధంగా విన్నాము; అందువల్ల అలాగే వివరిస్తాము. స్పష్టంగా గ్రహించండి—కోపించిన గౌతముడు ఆ ద్విజులను శపించాడు।
The sages (ṛṣis) at Naimiṣāraṇya
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; it is a narrative-critical moment where the Naimiṣāraṇya sages assert an alternate recension: Gautama, angered, cursed certain dvijas.
Significance: Didactic value: highlights the Purāṇic acceptance of variant tellings while preserving dharma-tattva—anger and curse as consequences within karmic order.
FAQs
It highlights the importance of accurate transmission of sacred history and warns that even among the learned, anger can lead to karmic consequences; Shaiva teaching favors humility, truthfulness, and inner purification as supports for Shiva-bhakti.
In Kotirudra contexts, such narratives frame why devotees seek Shiva’s grace at Jyotirlingas: the Linga signifies Shiva as the compassionate Pati who can purify faults born of passion (like anger) when approached with repentance and devotion.
The takeaway is restraint and purification: calm the mind with japa of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and, where appropriate, adopt Shaiva marks like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder of self-control and surrender to Shiva.