Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 71
भद्रस्य दिव्यरथारोहणं शङ्खनादश्च — Bhadra’s Divine Chariot-Ascent and the Conch-Blast
केचिच्च तत्र त्रिदशा विपन्ना विस्रस्तवस्त्राभरणास्त्रशस्त्राः । निपेतुरुद्भासितदीनमुद्रा मदं च दर्पं च बलं च हित्वा
kecicca tatra tridaśā vipannā visrastavastrābharaṇāstraśastrāḥ | nipeturudbhāsitadīnamudrā madaṃ ca darpaṃ ca balaṃ ca hitvā
Certains dieux, là, furent brisés tout à fait; leurs vêtements, parures, armes et traits avaient glissé loin d’eux. Ils tombèrent, le visage et les gestes marquant l’impuissance, ayant renoncé à l’ivresse, à l’orgueil et au sentiment de force.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Bhairava
FAQs
It shows how mada (intoxicated ego) and darpa (pride) collapse under divine reality; when power is stripped away, the soul’s helplessness becomes evident—pointing to Shaiva Siddhanta’s teaching that bondage (pāśa) is sustained by ego, and liberation begins with humility and surrender to Shiva (Pati).
The devas’ fall illustrates the limitation of mere status and force; in Linga/Saguna Shiva worship, the devotee approaches Shiva as the supreme refuge whose grace—not one’s own ‘bala’—restores order and inner steadiness.
A practical takeaway is daily japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a humility-vow (dropping pride), optionally supported by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha as reminders to renounce ego and take refuge in Shiva’s grace.