Shloka 20
उत्पातवर्णनम् / Description of Portents at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
सवैकुंठास्ततस्सर्वे तदा कुंठितशक्तयः । स्वस्वोपकंठमाकंठं लुलुठुः कमठा इव
savaikuṃṭhāstatassarve tadā kuṃṭhitaśaktayaḥ | svasvopakaṃṭhamākaṃṭhaṃ luluṭhuḥ kamaṭhā iva
Then all of them—though dwelling in their own heavenly abodes—found their powers blunted. Each, sinking down near his own place, lay collapsed up to the throat, like tortoises withdrawn and helpless.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Satīkhaṇḍa account to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Cosmic Event: Devas’ powers become obstructed as a foreboding sign preceding Śiva-related retribution in the Dakṣa episode
FAQs
It shows that worldly or even heavenly authority is not self-sustaining: when divine order is disturbed, the devas’ capacities become ‘kuṇṭhita’ (obstructed). In Shaiva Siddhanta, true efficacy arises through Pati (Shiva) and His anugraha; without that grace, even exalted beings fall into helplessness.
The devas’ collapse implies that protection and restoration come from approaching Shiva in accessible form—Saguna worship such as Linga-arcana—through which grace is invoked. The Linga signifies Shiva as the supreme support beyond fluctuating cosmic powers.
A practical takeaway is humble refuge in Shiva through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steady Linga worship; these are traditional means to seek anugraha when one’s own ‘śakti’ feels obstructed.