Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 52
गजासुरतपः–देवलोकक्षोभः
Gajāsura’s Austerities and the Disturbance of the Worlds
तव हस्ते मम वधो महाश्रेयस्करो मतः । अंधकारे महेशान त्रिपुरांतक सर्वग
tava haste mama vadho mahāśreyaskaro mataḥ | aṃdhakāre maheśāna tripurāṃtaka sarvaga
তোমার হাতে আমার বধ আমার মতে পরম মঙ্গলকর। হে মহেশান, হে ত্রিপুরান্তক, হে সর্বব্যাপী প্রভু—এই অন্ধকার (অজ্ঞতা) মধ্যেও আমি তোমারই শরণ গ্রহণ করি।
Andhaka (addressing Lord Shiva)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Tripurāntaka
Sthala Purana: Though not a Jyotirliṅga verse, the epithet Tripurāntaka recalls Śiva’s destruction of Tripura—often linked in sthala traditions to Śiva’s protective grace over worlds when adharma becomes fortified (tripura as threefold bondage).
Significance: Meditating on Tripurāntaka is traditionally held to remove inner ‘tripura’—the three impurities (āṇava, karma, māyā) by Śiva’s grace.
Mantra: तव हस्ते मम वधो महाश्रेयस्करो मतः । अंधकारे महेशान त्रिपुरांतक सर्वग
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse expresses śaraṇāgati (complete surrender): even an adversary recognizes that Shiva’s act—though appearing as destruction—can become mahāśreyas, the highest good, because Shiva as Pati cuts the bonds (pāśa) that keep the soul in ignorance (andhakāra).
By invoking names like Maheśāna and Tripurāntaka, the verse approaches Saguna Shiva—Shiva with attributes and liberating actions. In Linga worship, devotees similarly seek the Lord’s grace to destroy inner “Tripura” (the three impurities/bondages) and bring the soul from darkness to clarity.
A practical takeaway is to practice surrender through japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while contemplating Shiva as sarvaga (all-pervading), asking Him to remove andhakāra (inner ignorance) and grant śreyas (spiritual good).