Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 3
अन्धकादिदैत्ययुद्धे वीरकविजयः — Vīraka’s Victory over Andhaka’s Forces
तथा प्रदर्श्याशु पुनः पुनश्च संपीड्यमानोपि स वीरकेण । बभूव कामाग्निसुदग्धदेहोंऽधको महादैत्यपतिः स मूढः
tathā pradarśyāśu punaḥ punaśca saṃpīḍyamānopi sa vīrakeṇa | babhūva kāmāgnisudagdhadehoṃ'dhako mahādaityapatiḥ sa mūḍhaḥ
Ainsi, bien qu’il fût saisi et broyé maintes fois par ce vaillant héros, Andhaka—le seigneur égaré des grands Daityas—devint bientôt tel un homme dont le corps est brûlé par le feu du désir.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It portrays kāma (desire) as a burning inner fire that weakens the bound soul (paśu). Andhaka’s outward power cannot protect him when delusion and desire dominate; Shaiva Siddhānta reads this as a warning that pāśas (bondages) must be overcome through Shiva’s grace and inner discipline.
Andhaka’s agitation by desire contrasts with Saguna Shiva’s role as the purifier of the mind. Linga-worship symbolizes stabilizing awareness in Shiva, cooling the ‘fire of passion’ through devotion (bhakti), reverence, and surrender to Pati (Shiva) who alone cuts the bonds.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with restraint of the senses, supported by simple Shaiva observances such as Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and mindful worship, to cool and redirect desire into devotion.