Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 24
गजासुरतपः–देवलोकक्षोभः
Gajāsura’s Austerities and the Disturbance of the Worlds
तस्मिन्महेन्द्रस्य गृहे महाबलो महामना निर्जितलोक एकराट् । रेमेऽभिवंद्यांघ्रियुगः सुरादिभिः प्रतापितैरूर्जितचंडशासनः
tasminmahendrasya gṛhe mahābalo mahāmanā nirjitaloka ekarāṭ | reme'bhivaṃdyāṃghriyugaḥ surādibhiḥ pratāpitairūrjitacaṃḍaśāsanaḥ
Là, dans la demeure de Mahendra (Indra), ce souverain d’une grande puissance et d’une âme élevée—qui avait soumis les mondes en monarque unique—vivait dans la jouissance et la quiétude. Ses deux pieds étaient honorés par les dieux et les autres, abaissés par sa vaillance ; car son commandement, puissant et redoutable, les tenait en respect.
Sūta Gosvāmī
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
It highlights the peak of worldly power—being honored even by the Devas—yet implies that such dominance is temporal; Shaiva thought places lasting refuge in devotion to Pati (Śiva), not in ekarāṭ-style sovereignty.
By portraying Devas bowing at a ruler’s feet, the text implicitly contrasts worldly reverence with the highest worship directed to Saguna Śiva in the Liṅga, where surrender is offered for purification and grace rather than fear of authority.
The practical takeaway is to redirect the impulse of “bowing” toward Śiva: daily Liṅga-pūjā with the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), along with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders that true lordship is Śiva’s and liberation is His grace.