Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 28
तारकवाक्य-शक्रविष्णुवीरभद्रयुद्धवर्णनम् — Account of Tāraka’s declarations and the battle involving Śakra (Indra), Viṣṇu, and Vīrabhadra
निकृत्तो हि दितेर्गर्भस्स्वार्थ हेतोर्विशेषतः । धर्षिता गौतमस्त्री वै हतो वृत्रश्च विप्रजः
nikṛtto hi ditergarbhassvārtha hetorviśeṣataḥ | dharṣitā gautamastrī vai hato vṛtraśca viprajaḥ
নিশ্চয়ই দিতির গর্ভ বিশেষত স্বার্থসিদ্ধির জন্য কেটে ফেলা হয়েছিল; গৌতমের স্ত্রী অপমানিত (ধর্ষিতা) হয়েছিলেন, আর ব্রাহ্মণজাত বৃত্রও নিহত হয়েছিল।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse highlights how svārtha (self-serving motive) becomes a form of pāśa (bondage) that leads to adharma and suffering; Shaiva teaching emphasizes purification and surrender to Shiva (Pati) to be freed from such binding impulses.
By recalling grave transgressions and their consequences, the Purana frames Linga-worship as a path of atonement and inner correction—approaching Saguna Shiva with devotion, confession, and discipline so the heart becomes fit for Shiva’s grace.
A practical takeaway is repentance with japa of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), along with Tripuṇḍra-bhasma and Rudrākṣa as reminders to restrain desire and act in dharma.