Bhaimaśaṅkara-māhātmya: Śiva’s Descent in Kāmarūpa and the Rise of Bhīma
देवा ऊचुः । ब्रह्मन्वै रक्षसस्तेजो लोकान्पीडितुमुद्यतम् । यत्प्रार्थ्यते च दुष्टेन तत्त्वं देहि वरं विधे
devā ūcuḥ | brahmanvai rakṣasastejo lokānpīḍitumudyatam | yatprārthyate ca duṣṭena tattvaṃ dehi varaṃ vidhe
The gods said: “O Brahmā, truly the rākṣasa’s power has risen, intent on tormenting the worlds. Whatever boon that wicked one seeks—O Vidhe, Creator—grant it in accord with the true principle of dharma, so that the worlds may be protected.”
The Devas (gods) addressing Brahma
Tattva Level: pasha
Role: teaching
It highlights that divine power must be administered according to tattva (right principle) and dharma, even when responding to a wicked petitioner—so cosmic order is preserved and suffering to beings is restrained.
In the Kotirudra Samhita’s Jyotirlinga setting, protection of the worlds ultimately rests with Saguna Shiva’s compassionate governance; the devas’ appeal shows that boons and their limits are resolved through the higher divine order that Jyotirlinga worship invokes.
A practical takeaway is to pray with the Panchakshara mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) for protection and right discernment (tattva-jñāna), seeking that all outcomes align with dharma rather than mere desire.