Shloka 29
रावणस्य तपः-शिवानुग्रहः — Rāvaṇa’s Austerity and Śiva’s Bestowal of Grace
देवादय ऊचुः । रावणोयं दुरात्मा हि देवद्रोही खलः कुधीः । शिवाद्वरं च संप्राप्य दुःखं दास्यति नोऽपि सः
devādaya ūcuḥ | rāvaṇoyaṃ durātmā hi devadrohī khalaḥ kudhīḥ | śivādvaraṃ ca saṃprāpya duḥkhaṃ dāsyati no'pi saḥ
Die Götter und die anderen sprachen: „Dieser Rāvaṇa ist wahrlich verderbt, ein Feind der Devas, niederträchtig und von verkehrtem Verstand. Da er vom Herrn Śiva einen Segen erlangt hat, wird er gewiss auch uns Leid zufügen.“
The Devas (gods)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It highlights that Śiva’s grace (even in the form of a boon) does not sanctify adharmic intent; when ego and hostility toward the divine order dominate, the same power becomes a cause of suffering, reinforcing the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on purifying the soul’s malas through right conduct and devotion.
Ravana’s boon comes from Saguna Śiva—the compassionate Lord who grants requests—yet the verse warns devotees to approach Linga-worship with humility and dharma, seeking inner transformation rather than power that feeds pride and bondage.
A practical takeaway is to pair Shiva-upasana with ethical restraint: daily Panchakshara japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and Linga-abhiṣeka with a prayer for buddhi (right discernment), so devotion becomes a means to reduce ego rather than empower it.