Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 29
अन्धक-प्रश्नः — Inquiry into Andhaka
Genealogy and Nature
अरण्यमाश्रित्य तपश्चकारासुरस्तदा कश्यपजस्सुतार्थम् । काष्ठोपमोऽसौ जितरोषदोषस्संदर्शनार्थं तु महेश्वरस्य
araṇyamāśritya tapaścakārāsurastadā kaśyapajassutārtham | kāṣṭhopamo'sau jitaroṣadoṣassaṃdarśanārthaṃ tu maheśvarasya
Alors cet Asura se réfugia dans une forêt et accomplit des austérités afin d’obtenir un fils né de Kaśyapa. Il devint tel un morceau de bois—ferme et immobile—et, ayant vaincu le défaut de la colère, il entreprit cette pénitence uniquement pour obtenir le darśana, la vision de Maheśvara.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Role: teaching
FAQs
It emphasizes that even a powerful being must refine the inner self—especially by conquering anger—and become steady in tapas; such inner discipline is presented as the groundwork for receiving Maheśvara’s darśana (gracious revelation).
The verse highlights darśana of Maheśvara as the fruit of austerity; in Shaiva practice this corresponds to seeking the Lord’s tangible, grace-filled presence—often approached through Saguna forms like the Śiva-liṅga, where devotion and disciplined worship culminate in felt nearness to Śiva.
The takeaway is tapas with krodha-nigraha (restraint of anger) and unwavering steadiness—meditating without distraction; practically, this aligns with daily Śiva-upāsanā such as japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a calm, motionless posture and purified intent.