Shloka 31
Andhakeśvara-liṅga Māhātmya and Śiva’s Subjugation of Andhaka (अन्धकेश्वरलिङ्गमाहात्म्य तथा अन्धकवध-प्रसङ्ग)
सूत उवाच । इति शप्तो महेशेन दाधीचिस्स सुदर्शनः । जडत्वं प्राप्तवान्सद्यश्शिवमायाविमोहितः
sūta uvāca | iti śapto maheśena dādhīcissa sudarśanaḥ | jaḍatvaṃ prāptavānsadyaśśivamāyāvimohitaḥ
Sūta said: Thus Sudarśana, the son of Dadhīci, when cursed by Maheśa, was at once deluded by Śiva’s māyā and immediately fell into a dull, inert stupor.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
FAQs
It shows that when one opposes or disrespects the Lord’s dharma, the soul can become veiled by Śiva’s māyā, resulting in tamasic inertia (jaḍatva). The verse highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on removing āṇava-mala and delusion through grace, devotion, and right conduct.
Maheśa’s curse and māyā demonstrate Saguna Śiva’s role as the Lord who governs karma and grants both concealment (tirodhāna) and grace (anugraha). Linga worship, especially at Jyotirlingas described in the Koṭirudrasaṃhitā, is a means to seek Śiva’s anugraha to pierce māyā and regain clarity.
A practical takeaway is to counter jaḍatva through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), regular Linga abhiṣeka with a sattvic mind, and traditional Shaiva disciplines like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as supports for steadiness and remembrance of Śiva.