Shloka 23
मयस्य शिवस्तुतिः — Maya’s Hymn to Śiva
and Śiva’s Gracious Response
कृतं दुष्कर्म चास्माभिर्हे हरे हे विधे सुराः । दैत्यानां शिवभक्तानां शिवभक्तिर्विनाशिता
kṛtaṃ duṣkarma cāsmābhirhe hare he vidhe surāḥ | daityānāṃ śivabhaktānāṃ śivabhaktirvināśitā
“O Hari, O Ordainer (Brahmā)—O gods! We have committed a grievous wrong: we have destroyed the devotion to Śiva that existed among the Daityas who were devotees of Śiva.”
The Devas (gods), confessing collectively to Vishnu (Hari) and Brahma (Vidhi), within Suta’s narration
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse functions as a dharma-ethical warning within the war narrative: even ‘devas’ incur fault by disrupting Śiva-bhakti in others.
Significance: General tīrtha-idea implied: protecting and fostering Śiva-bhakti is meritorious; harming it is a grave pāpa.
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva-bhakti is sacred wherever it arises; obstructing or extinguishing devotion—even in an adversary—is a serious adharma that calls for repentance and restoration of right conduct.
By admitting the fault of destroying devotion to Śiva, the Devas affirm Saguna Śiva worship (such as Liṅga-upāsanā) as a legitimate, grace-bearing path; the narrative underscores that devotion, not birth or faction, is what draws Śiva’s favor.
The implied remedy is prāyaścitta through renewed Śiva-upāsanā—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), worship of the Liṅga with humility, and seeking forgiveness to protect and nourish bhakti rather than obstruct it.