Shloka 38
अवधूतेश्वरलीला (Avadhūteśvara-līlā) — Śiva Tests Indra’s Pride on the Way to Kailāsa
स जलन्धरनामाभूत्सिन्धुपुत्रोऽसुरेश्वरः । तं जघान महेशानो देवप्रार्थनया प्रभुः
sa jalandharanāmābhūtsindhuputro'sureśvaraḥ | taṃ jaghāna maheśāno devaprārthanayā prabhuḥ
He became known as Jalandhara, the son of Sindhu, a sovereign lord among the asuras. At the prayer of the devas, the Supreme Lord Maheśāna struck him down.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga story; it identifies the child as Jalandhara (Sindhu’s son) and states his destruction by Maheśāna upon the devas’ supplication—typical Purāṇic theodicy of restoring cosmic order.
Significance: Ethical-theological: illustrates Śiva as protector of dharma and refuge of devas; ‘deva-prārthanā’ models śaraṇāgati leading to divine intervention.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It shows Śiva as Pati (the Supreme Lord) who restores dharma when adharma becomes dominant; divine grace responds to sincere supplication, and the Lord removes obstructive forces that bind beings in pasha (bondage).
The verse highlights Saguna Śiva—Maheśāna acting in the world to protect cosmic order. Linga worship remembers this same Lord as both transcendent (nirguṇa) and immanent (saguṇa), accessible through devotion and prayer.
A practical takeaway is deva-like prayer and surrender to Maheśāna—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and remembrance of Śiva as protector, especially in times of inner ‘asuric’ tendencies such as pride and aggression.