Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 56
शङ्खचूडकस्य राज्याभिषेकः तथा शक्रपुरीं प्रति प्रस्थानम् | Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Coronation and March toward Indra’s City
रुद्रशूलेन तन्मृत्यु कृष्णेन विहितः पुरा । ततस्स्वदेहमुत्सृज्य पार्षदस्स भविष्यति
rudraśūlena tanmṛtyu kṛṣṇena vihitaḥ purā | tatassvadehamutsṛjya pārṣadassa bhaviṣyati
Einst hatte Kṛṣṇa verfügt, dass sein Tod durch Rudras Dreizack kommen werde. Darum wird er, nachdem er seinen Leib verlassen hat, hernach zu einem Gaṇa—einem Diener im Gefolge Śivas.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
It highlights divine ordinance and Śiva’s anugraha: when the destined moment arrives, casting off the body can culminate in proximity to Śiva—symbolized by becoming a pārṣada (gaṇa), a state of blessed service rather than mere annihilation.
Rudra’s trident signifies Saguna Śiva’s sovereign power over time and death; Linga-worship trains the devotee to see that the Lord who transcends death (Nirguṇa) also governs it compassionately in form (Saguṇa), granting nearness and service to His devotees.
Contemplate Rudra as the Lord of death and liberation while japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) is performed; offer bilva and apply tripuṇḍra-bhasma with the intent of surrendering the ego (the ‘body-sense’) to Śiva’s will.