Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 27
कार्तिकेयलीलावर्णनम्
Narration of Kārttikeya’s Divine Play
शक्रस्स सामरगणो भयं प्राप्य गुहात्ततः । ययौ स्वलोकं चकितो न भेदं ज्ञातवान्मुने
śakrassa sāmaragaṇo bhayaṃ prāpya guhāttataḥ | yayau svalokaṃ cakito na bhedaṃ jñātavānmune
O Weiser, Śakra (Indra) verließ, von Furcht ergriffen, zusammen mit den Scharen der Götter jene Höhle. Bestürzt kehrte er in seine eigene Welt zurück, ohne die wahre Unterscheidung dessen, was geschehen war, erkannt zu haben.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights that fear and agitation cloud discernment; even exalted beings like Indra can miss the deeper spiritual ‘bheda’ (true distinction) when consciousness is dominated by anxiety rather than clarity and devotion to Shiva.
In Shaiva perspective, approaching Shiva (often symbolized by the Linga as accessible Saguna focus) requires steadiness and surrender; the devas retreating in fear suggests that without inner composure and bhakti, one fails to recognize Shiva’s presence and purpose behind events.
Cultivate fearlessness through japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steady meditation; the practical takeaway is to replace reactive fear with Shiva-smaraṇa (remembrance) to gain viveka (discernment).