Shloka 8

अन्धकानुग्रहः—शूलारोपणं, रुद्रस्मरण-फलम्, तथा गाणपत्य-प्रदानम् (अध्याय 93)

Devanagari script

ततस्ते समस्ताः सुरेन्द्राः ससाध्याः सुरेशं महेशं पुरेत्याहुरेवम् द्रुतं चाल्पवीर्यप्रभिन्नाङ्गभिन्ना वयं दैत्यराजस्य शस्त्रैर्निकृत्ताः

Transliteration

tataste samastāḥ surendrāḥ sasādhyāḥ sureśaṃ maheśaṃ puretyāhurevam drutaṃ cālpavīryaprabhinnāṅgabhinnā vayaṃ daityarājasya śastrairnikṛttāḥ

Translation

Then all those lords of the Devas, together with the Sādhyas, hastened to the city of Sureśa—Mahēśa—and spoke thus: “Swiftly have we come, our strength diminished; our limbs are shattered and torn. By the weapons of the king of the Daityas we have been cut down.”

Word by Word

• tataḥ: then

• te: they

• samastāḥ: all together

• surendrāḥ: lords of the Devas

• sa-sādhyāḥ: along with the Sādhyas

• sureśam: to Sureśa (Lord of the gods), i.e., Śiva as supreme Lord

• maheśam: to Mahēśa (the Great Lord)

• puram: to the city/abode

• iti: thus

• āhuḥ: they said

• evam: in this manner

• drutam: quickly, in haste

• ca: and

• alpa-vīrya: with little strength / strength reduced

• prabhinna-aṅga-bhinnāḥ: with bodies and limbs broken, torn, wounded

• vayam: we

• daitya-rājasya: of the king of the Daityas (demon-king)

• śastraiḥ: by weapons

• nikṛttāḥ: cut down, hewn, struck severely

Speaker

The Devas (with the Sādhyas), reporting to Mahesha (Shiva)

Characters & Entities

• Shiva (Mahesha/Suresha)
• Devas (Surendras)
• Sadhyas
• Daitya-raja (king of the Daityas)

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It frames Shiva (Pati) as the ultimate refuge when worldly powers fail—an attitude central to Linga worship, where the devotee approaches Mahesha for protection, purification, and restoration of dharma.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Shiva-tattva is implied as supreme lordship beyond the Devas: even the surendras seek Mahesha’s abode, showing that all limited authorities turn to the transcendent Pati when confronted by overpowering pasha (forces of bondage and suffering).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The key practice is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) in Pati—an inner movement aligned with Pāśupata discipline, where the pashu, afflicted by pasha, turns to Shiva for grace (anugraha) and deliverance.