Shloka 24
Śiva-nāma-smaraṇa and Śambhu’s Protective Manifestation
Dāruka Episode
इयं च दारुका देवी राक्षसी शक्तिका मम । बलिष्ठा राक्षसीनां च रक्षोराज्यं प्रशास्तु च
iyaṃ ca dārukā devī rākṣasī śaktikā mama | baliṣṭhā rākṣasīnāṃ ca rakṣorājyaṃ praśāstu ca
«وهذه الإلهة داروكا—قرينتي من الرّاكشسي، الموهوبة بالقوة—هي أشدّ الراكشسيات بأسًا؛ فلتتولَّ حقًّا حكم مملكة الرّاكشسا ولتسُسْها.»
Dāruka (the rākṣasa king), as narrated by Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pasha
Sthala Purana: Sets the adharmic political backdrop: the rākṣasa-king Dāruka empowers Dārukā to consolidate rākṣasa rule, which later necessitates Śiva’s intervention for bhakta-protection.
Significance: Contextual (prelude) verse: illustrates how worldly power structures (rākṣasa-rājya) become instruments of pāśa (bondage) when driven by tamas and himsā.
FAQs
It highlights how worldly authority and even extraordinary śakti can be directed toward dominion and control; in Shaiva thought, such power remains within saṃsāra unless surrendered to Pati (Śiva) through devotion and dharma.
Koṭirudrasaṃhitā commonly frames Jyotirliṅga narratives with surrounding political and demonic episodes; such passages set the contrast between temporal rule and the higher refuge of Saguna Śiva manifested as the Liṅga.
No direct ritual is prescribed in this line; the practical takeaway is to redirect one’s śakti toward Shiva-upāsanā—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and Liṅga-bhakti—rather than mere pursuit of dominance.