Shloka 5
Harīśvara-liṅga Mahimā and the Origin-Context of Viṣṇu’s Sudarśana (हरिश्वरलिङ्गमहिमा तथा सुदर्शनप्राप्तिकथा)
कस्मिंश्चित्समये दैत्याः संजाता बलवत्तराः । लोकांस्ते पीडयामासुर्धर्मलोपं च चक्रिरे
kasmiṃścitsamaye daityāḥ saṃjātā balavattarāḥ | lokāṃste pīḍayāmāsurdharmalopaṃ ca cakrire
At a certain time, the Daityas became exceedingly powerful. They began to torment the worlds, and they brought about the decline of dharma.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Significance: Sets up the adharmic crisis that typically culminates in turning to Śiva for restoration and grace; pedagogically, it illustrates how bondage (pāśa) manifests as adharma and oppression.
FAQs
It frames a classic Shaiva theme: when adharma rises and beings suffer, the need for Pati (Lord Shiva) as the protector and restorer of cosmic order becomes evident, prompting devotion, refuge, and righteous conduct.
The oppression of the worlds and decline of dharma sets the narrative ground for seeking Saguna Shiva’s grace through tangible worship—especially the Shiva-linga—by which devotees invoke Shiva’s protective presence and the re-establishment of dharma.
A practical takeaway is to take refuge in Shiva through japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and regular linga-pūjā, cultivating steadiness in dharma when disorder prevails.