Shloka 42
दक्षस्य विष्णुं प्रति शरणागतिḥ — Dakṣa’s Appeal to Viṣṇu and the Teaching on Disrespect to Śiva
अतः परमिदं चक्रमपि न स्थास्यति ध्रुवम् । गमिष्यत्यधुना शीघ्रं ज्वालामालासमाकुलम्
ataḥ paramidaṃ cakramapi na sthāsyati dhruvam | gamiṣyatyadhunā śīghraṃ jvālāmālāsamākulam
Therefore, even this (cosmic) cycle will no longer remain fixed or stable. Now it will swiftly rush onward, engulfed and confused by a garland of flames.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana account to the sages, within the Sati Khanda narrative)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
Cosmic Event: akasmika-pralaya imagery (sudden conflagration/fiery upheaval)
FAQs
It stresses that even seemingly “fixed” cosmic or worldly orders are impermanent; stability belongs to Pati (Shiva) alone, so the seeker should turn from fear of change toward refuge in Shiva as the steady consciousness beyond cycles.
The flaming, unstable movement of the “cycle” highlights the need for a stable support (ālambana) in worship—Saguna Shiva in the Linga—through which the mind anchors itself and is led toward the realization of Shiva as the changeless ground.
Contemplate impermanence while japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and steady the mind on the Shiva-Linga; this channels fear and agitation into devotion and inward stillness.