Shloka 40
त्रिपुरवर्णनम् (Tripura-varṇanam) — “Description of Tripura”
तद्विचार्य स्वयं बुद्ध्या न शक्यं यत्सुरासुरैः । दुर्लभं वा सुदुस्साध्यं मृत्युं वंचयतानघाः
tadvicārya svayaṃ buddhyā na śakyaṃ yatsurāsuraiḥ | durlabhaṃ vā sudussādhyaṃ mṛtyuṃ vaṃcayatānaghāḥ
Reflecting with their own discernment, they realized that what cannot be accomplished by gods or demons—whether rare or exceedingly difficult—could be achieved by those blameless ones, for they were able to elude even Death.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahākāla
Jyotirlinga: Mahākāleśvara
Sthala Purana: Mahākāla as the Lord of Time grants protection from untimely death; the Ujjayinī liṅga is famed as a self-manifesting center where Kāla is subdued by Śiva’s sovereignty.
Significance: Darśana/abhisheka is sought for relief from fear of death, kāla-doṣa, and for steadiness in dharma; symbolizes Śiva as transcending and governing time.
Type: mahamrityunjaya
Shakti Form: Kālī
Role: liberating
Cosmic Event: mṛtyu-tattva (Death as cosmic regulator) implicitly invoked
FAQs
It highlights a Shaiva Siddhanta theme: worldly power (even of Devas and Asuras) is limited, while Shiva’s grace makes the seemingly impossible possible—especially the conquest of fear and bondage symbolized by Mṛtyu.
In the Shiva Purana narrative world, “evading Death” points to refuge in Saguna Shiva—often approached through Linga worship—where the devotee gains protection, steadiness, and ultimately liberation through the Lord’s compassionate presence.
The practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge): steady japa of the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” supported by Linga pūjā with bhasma and Rudrāksha, cultivating fearlessness and detachment from mortality.