Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 25
शिवस्य आश्वासनं हरि-ब्रह्मणोः तथा शङ्खचूडवृत्तान्तकथनम् / Śiva’s Reassurance to Hari and Brahmā; Account of Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Origin
सर्वोपरि निजं मत्वा विहरन्मोहमाश्रितः । तत्फलं प्राप्तवानस्मि शापं प्राप्तस्सवामकः
sarvopari nijaṃ matvā viharanmohamāśritaḥ | tatphalaṃ prāptavānasmi śāpaṃ prāptassavāmakaḥ
„Mich selbst für den Höchsten über allen haltend, streifte ich umher und suchte Zuflucht in Verblendung. Nun habe ich die Frucht davon empfangen—zusammen mit Vāmaka habe ich einen Fluch auf mich gezogen.“
A humbled celestial being (likely a deva or attendant in the battle narrative) confessing his fault, as narrated by Sūta to the sages
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights how ahamkāra (ego)—the belief “I am supreme”—arises from moha (delusion) and inevitably yields its karmic fruit. From a Shaiva Siddhānta lens, bondage (paśutva) is sustained by mala and māyā; humility and turning toward Pati (Shiva) is the corrective.
Linga and Saguna Shiva worship trains the devotee to replace self-supremacy with īśvara-bhāva (recognizing Shiva as the true Lord). The confession of receiving a curse functions as a narrative reminder that surrender and reverence to Shiva prevent the fall into pride-driven action.
A practical takeaway is daily Panchākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with an attitude of self-offering, coupled with repentance (kṣamā-prārthanā). If following Purāṇic Shaiva practice, one may add Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as aids to remembrance and humility.