Shloka 17
रावणस्य तपः-शिवानुग्रहः — Rāvaṇa’s Austerity and Śiva’s Bestowal of Grace
आसीन्मूत्रोत्सर्गकामो मार्गे हि शिवमायया । तत्स्तंभितुं न शक्तोभूत्पौलस्त्यो रावणः प्रभुः
āsīnmūtrotsargakāmo mārge hi śivamāyayā | tatstaṃbhituṃ na śaktobhūtpaulastyo rāvaṇaḥ prabhuḥ
By Śiva’s own māyā, upon the very path, the mighty Rāvaṇa of Pulastya’s line was seized by the urge to urinate, yet he could not restrain it.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It shows Śiva as Pati (the Supreme Lord) whose māyā can instantly humble even a mighty ruler like Rāvaṇa, teaching that ego and power are limited before divine sovereignty and that true refuge is surrender to Śiva.
Kotirudrasaṃhitā frames Śiva’s accessible Saguna presence—often through the Jyotirliṅga tradition—where devotees learn that the Lord actively guides events; this episode underscores that approaching Śiva (Liṅga) requires humility, not mere force or pride.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with humility and self-restraint (saṃyama), remembering that all bodily and mental impulses are ultimately governed by Śiva and can be purified through devotion.