Shloka 6
The Rise of Soma-vaṁśa: Budha’s Birth and Purūravā–Urvaśī; The Origin of Karma-kāṇḍa in Tretā-yuga
शुक्रो बृहस्पतेर्द्वेषादग्रहीत् सासुरोडुपम् । हरो गुरुसुतं स्नेहात् सर्वभूतगणावृत: ॥ ६ ॥
śukro bṛhaspater dveṣād agrahīt sāsuroḍupam haro guru-sutaṁ snehāt sarva-bhūta-gaṇāvṛtaḥ
Because of enmity between Bṛhaspati and Śukra, Śukra took the side of Soma, the moon-god, and the asuras joined him. But Lord Śiva, out of affection for the son of his spiritual master, stood with Bṛhaspati, accompanied by all the hosts of bhūtas and spirits.
The moon-god is one of the demigods, but to fight against the other demigods he took the assistance of the demons. Śukra, being an enemy of Bṛhaspati, also joined the moon-god to retaliate in wrath against Bṛhaspati. To counteract this situation, Lord Śiva, who was affectionate toward Bṛhaspati, joined Bṛhaspati. The father of Bṛhaspati was Aṅgirā, from whom Lord Śiva had received knowledge. Therefore Lord Śiva had some affection for Bṛhaspati and joined his side in this fight. Śrīdhara Svāmī remarks, aṅgirasaḥ sakāśāt prāpta-vidyo hara iti prasiddhaḥ: “Lord Śiva is well known to have received knowledge from Aṅgirā.”
FAQs
This verse states he accepted the Asuras’ priesthood due to envy/hostility toward Bṛhaspati, showing how rivalry can divert even a learned teacher into partisan roles.
The verse explains Śiva did so out of affection (sneha) for his own son, acting while accompanied by his many attendants—highlighting personal attachment influencing divine actions within the narrative.
It warns that envy and factionalism can compromise judgment and duty, and it reminds devotees to examine how attachment can shape decisions—even when one is powerful or influential.