Shloka 23
Hari’s Special Mercy, Śiva’s Quick Boons, and the Deliverance from Vṛkāsura
स तद्वरपरीक्षार्थं शम्भोर्मूर्ध्नि किलासुर: । स्वहस्तं धातुमारेभे सोऽबिभ्यत् स्वकृताच्छिव: ॥ २३ ॥
sa tad-vara-parīkṣārthaṁ śambhor mūrdhni kilāsuraḥ sva-hastaṁ dhātum ārebhe so ’bibhyat sva-kṛtāc chivaḥ
To test that boon, the demon tried to place his hand upon Śambhu’s head. Thus Śiva became afraid because of what he himself had done.
FAQs
This verse shows that a boon sought in ignorance can become self-destructive—Vṛkāsura immediately turns the boon toward harming Śiva, creating danger for both giver and receiver.
He was testing the potency of the boon he had received—trying to confirm it by using it on Śiva himself.
Seek goals with discernment and ethics; power gained without wisdom can backfire and endanger oneself and others.