Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 18
शङ्खचूडदूतागमनम् — The Arrival of Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Envoy
and Praise of Śiva
पुरा त्वं पाषर्दो गोपो गोपेष्वेव च धार्मिकः । अधुना राधिकाशापाज्जातस्त्वं दानवेश्वरः
purā tvaṃ pāṣardo gopo gopeṣveva ca dhārmikaḥ | adhunā rādhikāśāpājjātastvaṃ dānaveśvaraḥ
Antaño fuiste un pastor de vacas entre los gopas, recto en tu conducta. Mas ahora, por la maldición de Rādhikā, has nacido como señor de los Dānavas.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It illustrates how bondage (pāśa) operates through karma and divine ordinance: even one with dhārmic conduct can undergo a drastic change of embodiment due to a curse, urging vigilance, humility, and reliance on Shiva’s grace to transcend worldly reversals.
The verse highlights the instability of worldly identity (cowherd vs. dānava-lord). In Shaiva practice, worship of Saguna Shiva through the Liṅga steadies the devotee in devotion and purity, helping one rise above changing roles and attain Shiva’s protective grace.
A practical takeaway is to counter karmic turbulence with daily Shiva-upāsanā: japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), Liṅga-abhiṣeka with a prayer for purification, and wearing/meditating with rudrākṣa to cultivate steadiness and restraint.