Shloka 48
दधीचाश्रमगमनम् — Viṣṇu’s Disguise and Dadhīca’s Fearlessness
Kṣu’s Request
दधीच उवाच । रुद्रकोपाग्निना देवास्सदेवेंद्रा मुनीश्वराः । ध्वस्ता भवंतु देवेन विष्णुना च समं गणैः
dadhīca uvāca | rudrakopāgninā devāssadeveṃdrā munīśvarāḥ | dhvastā bhavaṃtu devena viṣṇunā ca samaṃ gaṇaiḥ
Dadhīca said: “May the gods—together with Indra—and the great sages be consumed by the fire born of Rudra’s wrath; and may Viṣṇu also, along with his attendant hosts, be utterly destroyed.”
Sage Dadhichi
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Mantra: rudrakopāgninā devāssadeveṃdrā munīśvarāḥ | dhvastā bhavaṃtu devena viṣṇunā ca samaṃ gaṇaiḥ
Type: stotra
Role: destructive
Cosmic Event: Localized pralaya-imagery via 'rudra-kopa-agni' (Rudra’s wrath-fire)
FAQs
The verse highlights Rudra’s power as the cosmic governor who can withdraw divine functions when dharma is violated; in Shaiva Siddhanta terms, this ‘wrath’ signifies the Lord’s corrective sovereignty (nigraha) that removes obstruction and pride, even among exalted beings.
Rudra’s wrath here underscores Saguna Shiva as the active Lord who protects cosmic order; Linga-worship is presented in the Shiva Purana as aligning oneself with Shiva’s authority and grace, avoiding ego-driven opposition to his will.
A practical takeaway is humility and propitiation of Rudra through Shaiva disciplines—japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), wearing Rudraksha with purity of conduct, and applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder of impermanence and surrender to Shiva.