Shloka 34
अन्धक-प्रश्नः — Inquiry into Andhaka
Genealogy and Nature
यस्माच्च मद्भ्रातुरनंतवीर्याः प्रह्लादपूर्वा अपि पंचपुत्राः । ममेह नास्तीति गतान्वयोऽहं को मामकं राज्यमिदं बुभूषेत्
yasmācca madbhrāturanaṃtavīryāḥ prahlādapūrvā api paṃcaputrāḥ | mameha nāstīti gatānvayo'haṃ ko māmakaṃ rājyamidaṃ bubhūṣet
“Moreover, my brother had five sons of boundless prowess, beginning with Prahlāda. Yet my own lineage here is ended—there is none of mine. So who would now desire this kingdom that belongs to me?”
A Daitya king (as narrated within the Yuddhakhaṇḍa dialogue, framed by Sūta Gosvāmin’s narration to the sages)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva insight that worldly sovereignty and family succession are impermanent; when lineage and claim fade, the wise turn inward toward dharma and ultimately toward devotion to Pati (Śiva), the true Lord beyond transient ownership.
By questioning possessiveness over ‘my kingdom,’ the verse supports the movement from ego-based identity to surrender; in Shiva Purana practice, this ripens into Saguna Śiva-bhakti—worship of the Liṅga as the stable refuge when worldly supports (rājya, vaṃśa) collapse.
A practical takeaway is daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with bhasma-dhāraṇa (Tripuṇḍra) and contemplation on impermanence (anityatā), reducing attachment to status and possession.