Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 33
हिरण्यकशिपोः क्रोधः तथा देवप्रजाकदनम् — Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Wrath and the Affliction of Devas and Beings
तस्याज्ञया दैत्यवरास्ततस्ते ग्रहीतुकामा विविशुर्मृगेन्द्रम् । क्षणेन दग्धाश्शलभा इवाग्निं रूपाभिलाषात्प्रविविक्षवो वै
tasyājñayā daityavarāstataste grahītukāmā viviśurmṛgendram | kṣaṇena dagdhāśśalabhā ivāgniṃ rūpābhilāṣātpravivikṣavo vai
بأمره اندفع أولئك الديتْيَةُ الأشدّاء، راغبين في أسر «سيّد الأسد»، فاقتحموا. وفي لحظة احترقوا—كالفراش يدخل النار—لأن شهوة تلك الصورة دفعتهم إلى محاولة النفاذ فيها.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Kālabhairava
Shakti Form: Kālī
Role: destructive
Cosmic Event: sudden annihilation motif (asuric hosts consumed like moths in flame)
FAQs
It teaches that uncontrolled desire for external form (rūpābhilāṣa) becomes a binding pāśa (bondage): like moths to flame, the deluded rush toward what they crave and are destroyed by their own compulsion, while divine power remains untouched.
The verse contrasts craving-driven attachment to a perceived “form” with reverent approach: in Shaiva practice, Saguna Shiva is approached through bhakti and discipline, and the Linga points beyond mere form to the Lord’s transcendent reality—so desire becomes devotion rather than downfall.
A practical takeaway is desire-restraint through japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and mindful worship (with vibhūti/tripuṇḍra), converting sensory craving into focused devotion and inner steadiness.