Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 49
गजासुरतपः–देवलोकक्षोभः
Gajāsura’s Austerities and the Disturbance of the Worlds
ततस्त्रिशूलहेतिस्तमायांतं दैत्यपुंगवम् । विज्ञायावध्यमन्येन शूलेनाभिजघान तम्
tatastriśūlahetistamāyāṃtaṃ daityapuṃgavam | vijñāyāvadhyamanyena śūlenābhijaghāna tam
Then the wielder of the trident, seeing that foremost of the demons advancing, understood that he could not be slain by any other means; therefore he struck him with another trident-spear.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Type: rudram
FAQs
The verse highlights that adharma may appear “invulnerable” to ordinary efforts, but it is overcome by Shiva’s own śakti—symbolized by the trident—showing that liberation and protection ultimately arise from the Lord (Pati) rather than limited individual power.
As Saguna Shiva, the Lord takes up form and instruments (like the trident) to protect devotees and restore dharma. Linga-worship remembers this same Shiva as the supreme reality who becomes accessible through sacred form, while remaining beyond all.
A practical takeaway is to invoke Shiva’s protective power through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and to cultivate inner steadiness—seeing the trident as mastery over the three guṇas—while offering one’s fear and ego into Shiva’s guardianship.