Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 8
दिव्यरथारोहणम् — Śiva’s Ascent on the Divine Chariot
Pre-battle Portents
अथाधः स रथस्यास्य भगवान्धरणीधरः । वृषेन्द्ररूपी चोत्थाय स्थापयामास वै क्षणम्
athādhaḥ sa rathasyāsya bhagavāndharaṇīdharaḥ | vṛṣendrarūpī cotthāya sthāpayāmāsa vai kṣaṇam
Dann erhob sich unter jenem Wagen der selige Herr—der Träger der Erde—in der Gestalt eines mächtigen Stieres und stellte ihn für einen Augenblick fest an seinen Platz.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Role: nurturing
Cosmic Event: avatāra-like manifestation: Lord becomes the ‘support’ beneath the chariot
FAQs
It portrays Shiva as Dharaṇīdhara, the cosmic supporter who intervenes directly to restore stability—teaching that divine grace upholds dharma when worldly supports fail.
The verse highlights Saguna Shiva—Shiva taking a perceivable form (as a mighty bull) to protect and steady the situation, affirming that the same Supreme Reality worshipped as the Linga also acts compassionately in manifest forms for devotees.
Meditate on Shiva as the inner support (ādhāra) while chanting the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” cultivating surrender and steadiness; offer vibhūti (Tripuṇḍra) as a reminder that Shiva alone is the true foundation.