Shloka 81
Śiva-nāmānukīrtana-prastāvaḥ
Prologue to the praise of Śiva and the Upamanyu testimony
अर्द्धमानाश्च विबुधा ग्रहेण सुबलीयसा । शिवदत्तवरान् जष्नुरसुरेन्द्रान सुरा भूशम्
arddhamānāś ca vibudhā graheṇa subalīyasā | śivadattavarān jaṣṇur asurendrān surā bhūśam ||
Vāsudeva said: “When that exceedingly powerful Graha began to harass the gods, the devas—though hard-pressed—struck back and beat the lords of the asuras who had obtained boons granted by Śiva. Thus a prolonged war continued among them, showing that even divinely protected power, when used for oppression, invites resistance and sustained conflict.”
वासुदेव उवाच
Educational Q&A
Power—whether innate or protected by divine boons—does not justify oppression; when strength is used to torment others, it provokes rightful resistance and can lead to long, destructive conflict.
A mighty Graha begins afflicting the devas; the gods, though distressed, retaliate and beat the asura chiefs who possess boons from Śiva, and the struggle continues for a long time.