Shloka 18
Śiva’s Narasiṃha-Stotra and the Pacification of the Mātṛgaṇas
अन्धकस्य विनाशाय या सृष्टा मातरो मया / अनादृत्य तु मद्वाक्यं भक्ष्यन्त्वद्भुताः प्रजाः
andhakasya vināśāya yā sṛṣṭā mātaro mayā / anādṛtya tu madvākyaṃ bhakṣyantvadbhutāḥ prajāḥ
“Those Mother-goddesses whom I created for the destruction of Andhaka—disregarding my command—shall devour the wondrous beings.”
Lord Shiva (contextual attribution: mythic narration involving Andhaka and the Mātṛkās)
Concept: Unchecked śakti/force, when ungoverned by niyama (command/order), becomes destructive even to the ‘wondrous beings’; power must be restrained by dharma.
Vedantic Theme: Prakṛti/śakti requires īśvara-niyantṛtva (governance); when regulation fails, saṃhāra tendencies manifest.
Application: In leadership or personal discipline, set clear constraints for powerful tools (authority, technology, anger); ensure accountability to prevent collateral harm.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.231.19 (Śiva’s inability to withdraw what was created); Garuda Purana 1.231.17 (petition context)
FAQs
This verse presents the Mātṛkās as divinely created powers meant for a specific cosmic purpose; it highlights their formidable role and the importance of aligning such power with divine instruction.
It states that even beings created for a righteous objective can become destructive when they disregard the creator’s directive, illustrating a Purāṇic principle that dharma depends on right governance of power.
Use power—authority, strength, or influence—only for its rightful purpose; when discipline and guidance are ignored, even good capacities can cause harm.