Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 19
तुलसी-शङ्खचूडोपाख्यानम् — Viṣṇu’s Disguise and the Tulasī Episode
Prelude to Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Fall
कुशली त्वमिहायातस्तं जित्वा परमेश्वरम् । कथं बभूव विजयस्तव ब्रूहि तदेव मे
kuśalī tvamihāyātastaṃ jitvā parameśvaram | kathaṃ babhūva vijayastava brūhi tadeva me
„Bist du wohlbehalten hierher gekommen, nachdem du den Höchsten Herrn besiegt hast? Sage mir: Wie kam dein Sieg zustande? Erkläre mir eben dies.“
Inferred: A divine or royal interlocutor addressing a returning combatant/hero within the Yuddhakhaṇḍa narrative (dialogue frame within Rudrasaṃhitā); ultimate narration context traditionally flows through Sūta to the sages.
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights that even when someone claims “victory” over Parameśvara, the deeper Shaiva teaching is that outcomes occur only by Śiva’s will; true triumph is humility and recognition of the Lord as Pati (the Supreme).
Calling Śiva “Parameśvara” points to Saguna Śiva who engages in līlā within history; devotion to the Liṅga trains the devotee to see all power and success as Śiva’s presence, not the ego’s achievement.
A practical takeaway is to perform japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and offer gratitude (with bhasma/Tripuṇḍra or simple water/flowers) after any success, cultivating surrender rather than pride.