Shloka 18
तेन क्रूरा उपाय नः सर्वे हतबलाः कृताः । विकारे सांनिपाते वा वीर्यवंत्यौषधानि च
tena krūrā upāya naḥ sarve hatabalāḥ kṛtāḥ | vikāre sāṃnipāte vā vīryavaṃtyauṣadhāni ca
By those cruel measures, all of us have been rendered powerless. Even potent medicinal herbs—whether for ordinary disorders or for complex, combined afflictions—have lost their effectiveness.
Narrator (Suta Goswami) conveying the dialogue of afflicted beings within the Parvati Khanda context
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: No Jyotirliṅga linkage; the verse uses an āyurvedic metaphor (loss of medicinal potency) to depict the overwhelming force of the asura’s oppression—bondage that ordinary remedies cannot counter.
Significance: Didactic: when pāśa-like affliction dominates, merely worldly upāyas (remedies/strategies) fail; turning to Śiva is the higher upāya.
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta theme that when adverse forces (including karma and hostile influences) dominate, mere worldly effort can become ineffective; true restoration of strength ultimately depends on turning toward Shiva’s grace (anugraha) through devotion and right conduct.
The verse underscores the limits of external remedies and points toward seeking refuge in Saguna Shiva—worship of the Linga with faith, purity, and prayer—so that divine protection and inner strength arise where ordinary supports fail.
As a practical takeaway, one may combine sincere japa of the Panchakshara mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with simple Shiva-puja (water offering to the Linga) and wearing/holding Rudraksha for steadiness of mind, while maintaining sattvic discipline.