Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 16
शिवस्य आश्वासनं हरि-ब्रह्मणोः तथा शङ्खचूडवृत्तान्तकथनम् / Śiva’s Reassurance to Hari and Brahmā; Account of Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Origin
शङ्खचूडाभिधो देवद्रोही धर्मविचक्षणः । क्लिश्नाति सुबलात्कृत्स्नं सदा देवगणं कुधीः
śaṅkhacūḍābhidho devadrohī dharmavicakṣaṇaḥ | kliśnāti subalātkṛtsnaṃ sadā devagaṇaṃ kudhīḥ
Der bösesinnige, Śaṅkhacūḍa genannt—Feind der Götter und doch kundig in den Wegen des Dharma—quält kraft seiner großen Macht unablässig die gesamte Schar der Devas.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It shows that mere power and even clever knowledge of dharma, when driven by a corrupted intellect, becomes adharma and results in oppression—prompting the need to take refuge in Pati (Lord Shiva), the true upholder of cosmic order.
When the Devas are distressed by such tyranny, the Purana’s narrative arc typically turns them toward Saguna Shiva—worship of Shiva/Linga as the accessible refuge whose grace restores balance and subdues adharma.
The implied remedy is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) through Shiva-upāsanā—regular japa of the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a sattvic resolve, seeking divine protection rather than relying on worldly strength.