Shloka 41
शङ्खचूडदूतागमनम् — The Arrival of Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Envoy
and Praise of Śiva
पुरा विधिप्रार्थनया युद्धमादौ हरेरपि । मधुकैटभयोर्देत्यवरयोः प्रलयार्णवे
purā vidhiprārthanayā yuddhamādau harerapi | madhukaiṭabhayordetyavarayoḥ pralayārṇave
Long ago, at the very beginning, even Hari (Viṣṇu) was drawn into battle—at the supplication of Vidhi (Brahmā)—against the two foremost demons, Madhu and Kaiṭabha, in the ocean of dissolution (pralaya).
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Cosmic Event: mahāpralaya / pralaya-ocean setting (pralayārṇava)
FAQs
It frames pralaya as a cosmic condition where even divine functions (creation and preservation) face obstruction, implying that the Supreme Lord (Pati—Śiva) alone transcends dissolution and restores order when the cosmos is re-manifested.
By showing that even Hari acts within cosmic cycles, the verse supports the Shaiva Purana’s emphasis that Saguna worship of Śiva—often through the Liṅga—anchors the devotee in the Reality that is not limited by pralaya and re-creation.
Contemplate pralaya and impermanence, then take refuge in Śiva through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steady dhyāna on the Liṅga as the timeless support beyond changing cosmic states.