Shloka 26
तारकपीडितदेवशरणागतिḥ — The Devas Seek Refuge from Tāraka
शिववीर्य्यसमुत्पन्नो यदि स्यात्तनयस्सुराः । स एव तारकाख्यस्य हंता दैत्यस्य नापरः
śivavīryyasamutpanno yadi syāttanayassurāḥ | sa eva tārakākhyasya haṃtā daityasya nāparaḥ
O Devas, if a son is born from the potency of Śiva, he alone will be the slayer of the demon named Tāraka—no one else can do so.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Parvati Khanda account to the sages at Naimisharanya, conveying the Devas’ conclusion/statement within the story)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; it establishes the salvific necessity of Śiva’s vīrya (divine potency) manifesting as Skanda to remove the demonic obstruction.
Significance: Affirms Śiva as the ultimate resolver of cosmic disorder; devotion to Śiva’s grace is portrayed as the decisive factor when other powers are constrained.
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: creative
FAQs
The verse affirms that dharma is restored through Śiva’s supreme śakti: when cosmic imbalance becomes unresolvable by ordinary powers, the Lord’s own potency manifests a divinely purposed instrument to remove adharma.
It highlights Saguna Śiva as the active protector of the worlds—worship of the Liṅga is worship of that same Śiva-tattva whose grace and power can manifest in the world to remove obstacles and uphold dharma.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with devotion, along with Śiva-oriented discipline such as applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and cultivating surrender to Śiva’s will for protection and right action.