Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 3
गजासुरतपः–देवलोकक्षोभः
Gajāsura’s Austerities and the Disturbance of the Worlds
तस्य पुत्रो महावीरो मुनीश्वर गजासुरः । पितुर्वधं हि संस्मृत्य कृतं देव्या सुरार्थनात्
tasya putro mahāvīro munīśvara gajāsuraḥ | piturvadhaṃ hi saṃsmṛtya kṛtaṃ devyā surārthanāt
Ô seigneur des sages, son fils était le grand héros Gajāsura. Se remémorant la mise à mort de son père, et poussé par la Déesse à la supplication des devas, il entreprit cet acte d’hostilité.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Gajasamhāramūrti
Sthala Purana: Prelude to the Gajāsura cycle that culminates (in broader Śaiva myth) in Śiva’s subjugation of the elephant-asura and the revelation of Śiva’s protective sovereignty.
Significance: Warns that unresolved vaira (enmity) and asuric ambition can be ‘concealment’ (tirodhāna) that drives the soul deeper into bondage, even when catalyzed by divine play.
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse shows how unresolved resentment and vengeful memory bind the soul to conflict, while divine governance (through Devi acting for the devas) steers events toward restoring dharma—highlighting the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on karma operating under the Lord’s higher order.
Though the verse is narrative, it frames the cosmic role of Saguna Shiva’s realm: devas seek divine support to protect dharma, and devotees worship the Linga as the accessible sign of Shiva’s protective sovereignty that subdues asuric imbalance.
A practical takeaway is to replace vengeful recollection with japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offering one’s reactive emotions into Shiva’s presence (optionally with Tripuṇḍra bhasma and Rudrāksha) to cultivate peace and dharmic clarity.