Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 57
दधीच-शाप-हेतु-वर्णनम् / The Cause of Dadhīca’s Curse
Explaining Viṣṇu’s Role at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
उवाच तं च गर्वेण न बिभेमीति सर्वतः । मृत्युंजयाप्त सुवरो गर्वितो ह्यतुलं हरिः
uvāca taṃ ca garveṇa na bibhemīti sarvataḥ | mṛtyuṃjayāpta suvaro garvito hyatulaṃ hariḥ
Enflé d’orgueil, il lui dit : « De quelque côté que ce soit, je ne crains rien. » Ayant obtenu le don de vaincre la mort, cet incomparable Hari devint d’une arrogance extrême.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; it highlights the peril of boons: ‘mṛtyuñjaya’ (victory over death) when appropriated by ego becomes a veil (tirodhāna) leading to downfall.
Significance: Instruction for pilgrims/devotees: even divine gifts must be held with humility; fearlessness without devotion becomes arrogance and bondage.
Type: mahamrityunjaya
FAQs
The verse highlights how even exalted power—such as a “victory over death” boon—can inflate ahaṅkāra (ego). In Shaiva Siddhanta, such pride strengthens bondage (pāśa), while humility and devotion to Pati (Śiva) lead toward liberation.
It implicitly contrasts ego-born fearlessness with true refuge. Linga/Saguṇa-Śiva worship trains the devotee to surrender pride and recognize that ultimate sovereignty and grace belong to Śiva, not to acquired boons or personal might.
A practical takeaway is daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) or the Mṛtyuñjaya mantra with a vow of humility, using vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as reminders to restrain ego and seek Śiva’s grace rather than power.