Shloka 5
तारकपीडितदेवशरणागतिḥ — The Devas Seek Refuge from Tāraka
देवा ऊचुः । लोकेश तारको दैत्यो वरेण तव दर्पित । निरस्यास्मान्हठात्स्थानान्यग्रहीन्नो बलात्स्वयम्
devā ūcuḥ | lokeśa tārako daityo vareṇa tava darpita | nirasyāsmānhaṭhātsthānānyagrahīnno balātsvayam
The gods said: “O Lord of the worlds, the demon Tāraka—made arrogant by the boon granted by You—has violently driven us from our rightful abodes and, by sheer force, has himself seized our stations.”
The Devas (gods)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It highlights how boons without humility and dharmic restraint become instruments of bondage (pāśa): pride (darpa) leads to oppression, and the devas’ appeal points to Shiva as the supreme regulator who restores cosmic order when adharma oversteps.
The devas address Shiva as Lokēśa, approaching the Saguna Lord as refuge and protector; in Shaiva practice, this becomes the devotional pattern of surrender at the Shiva-linga—seeking the Lord’s grace to re-establish inner and outer dharma.
The takeaway is śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge) through Shiva-japa—especially the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—supported by simple Shaiva observances like applying tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and maintaining a prayerful, humble mind to counter darpa.