Shloka 34
Arjuna’s Mantra-Empowerment and the Pāṇḍavas’ Separation (Śiva-rūpa through Mantra)
तस्यैव शिरसस्तेजो निस्सृतन्तच्चरास्तदा । दृष्ट्वा भयं समापन्नाः प्रविष्टश्च कदा ह्ययम्
tasyaiva śirasastejo nissṛtantaccarāstadā | dṛṣṭvā bhayaṃ samāpannāḥ praviṣṭaśca kadā hyayam
จากเศียรนั้นเอง รัศมีอันโชติช่วงก็พวยพุ่งออกมา เหล่าผู้สอดแนมเห็นแล้วหวาดกลัว และรำพึงว่า “ผู้นี้เข้ามาที่นี่เมื่อใดกัน?”
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: The sudden eruption of tejas evokes the jyotis motif (awe-inspiring divine manifestation) but the narrative here functions as a theophany prompting fear and inquiry, not a named Jyotirliṅga origin.
Significance: Teaches that Śiva’s presence can be simultaneously revealing and concealing: the same tejas that signals divinity also overwhelms limited beings, driving them to seek proper understanding.
FAQs
Shiva’s tejas symbolizes the irresistible presence of Pati (the Lord) that dissolves arrogance and ignorance; fear arises when limited beings confront the Infinite, urging surrender and right understanding.
The sudden radiance reflects Saguna Shiva’s manifest power—often contemplated through the Linga as a tangible focus—showing that the Lord can reveal Himself as overwhelming light that commands reverence and devotion.
Take refuge in japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and meditate on Shiva as inner light; if practiced ritually, combine it with Tripundra (bhasma) and Rudraksha as aids to steadiness and fearlessness.