Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 18
शङ्खचूडकस्य राज्याभिषेकः तथा शक्रपुरीं प्रति प्रस्थानम् | Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Coronation and March toward Indra’s City
यत्र तत्र स्थिता दीना गिरीणां कंदरासु च । तदधीना न स्वतंत्रा निष्प्रभाः सागरा यथा
yatra tatra sthitā dīnā girīṇāṃ kaṃdarāsu ca | tadadhīnā na svataṃtrā niṣprabhāḥ sāgarā yathā
Épars çà et là, ils demeurèrent misérables, jusque dans les cavernes des montagnes. Dépendants d’autrui et sans autonomie, ils furent privés d’éclat, tels les océans quand ils sont dépouillés de leur plénitude.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya within the Yuddhakhaṇḍa account)
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; it poetically depicts the devas’ loss of śrī/tejas and svātantrya under hostile domination—an allegory for the bound condition when higher order is eclipsed.
FAQs
It portrays the condition of beings who lack inner sovereignty: when one is bound by dependence and fear, one’s natural radiance is lost. In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, the pashu (soul) under pāśa (bondage) becomes “niṣprabha,” and true steadiness returns through turning to Pati—Shiva’s grace and right orientation.
Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga-upāsanā—gives the mind a stable refuge (āśraya) and restores inner strength. The verse contrasts scattered, dependent living with the centeredness gained by taking Shiva as the true support, moving from helplessness toward spiritual autonomy under divine guidance.
A practical takeaway is daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with steady mindfulness, coupled with simple Shiva-dhāraṇā (remembering Shiva as one’s sole refuge). This directly counters “tad-adhīnatā” (dependence) by cultivating surrender and inner steadiness.