Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 49
दधीच-शाप-हेतु-वर्णनम् / The Cause of Dadhīca’s Curse
Explaining Viṣṇu’s Role at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
दृष्ट्वाप्यवध्यत्वमदीनतां च वज्रस्य चात्यंतपरप्रभावम् । क्षुवो दधीचस्य मुनीश्वरस्य विसिस्मिये चेतसि धातृपुत्रः
dṛṣṭvāpyavadhyatvamadīnatāṃ ca vajrasya cātyaṃtaparaprabhāvam | kṣuvo dadhīcasya munīśvarasya visismiye cetasi dhātṛputraḥ
Obwohl er die Unverwundbarkeit und die unerschütterliche Standhaftigkeit des Weisenfürsten Dadhīci sah und ebenso die gänzlich überwältigende Macht des Vajra, geriet der Sohn Dhātṛs im Innersten seines Herzens in Staunen.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya within the Rudra Samhita narrative)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; the verse underscores the siddhāntic point that the paśu’s ‘avadhyatva’ (inviolability) is derivative—arising from Śiva’s anugraha rather than intrinsic power.
Significance: Encourages cultivation of dhairya and śaraṇāgati: steadfastness (adīnatā) is portrayed as a fruit of devotion to Mṛtyuṃjaya/Parameśvara.
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse highlights that true spiritual power is inner: the sage’s unwavering tapas and fearlessness appear “unassailable,” and even the mightiest weapon becomes secondary to the soul’s steadiness supported by divine order and grace.
In Shaiva understanding, steadfastness (dhairya) and purity gained through devotion to Saguna Shiva—often centered on Linga worship—ripen the practitioner’s inner strength, making the mind unshaken even amid external force.
The practical takeaway is cultivation of fearlessness through daily Shiva-upasana: japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” meditation on Shiva as the inner Lord (Pati), and disciplined tapas supported by vibhūti (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa as aids to steadiness.