Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 6
जलंधरयुद्धे मायाप्रयोगः — Jalandhara’s Māyā in the Battle with Śiva
ततो जलंधरो दृष्ट्वा रुद्र्मद्भुतविक्रमम् । चकार मायया गौरीं त्र्यम्बकं मोहयन्निव
tato jalaṃdharo dṛṣṭvā rudrmadbhutavikramam | cakāra māyayā gaurīṃ tryambakaṃ mohayanniva
ત્યારે જલંધરે રુદ્રના અદ્ભુત પરાક્રમને જોઈ, માયાથી ગૌરીનું રૂપ રચ્યું—જાણે સ્વયં ત્ર્યંબક (શિવ)ને મોહિત કરતો હોય તેમ।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Shakti Form: Gaurī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta principle that māyā can bewilder limited beings (paśu) but cannot truly bind Pati (Śiva); the demon’s illusion is a display of opposition, not a real limitation upon Rudra’s sovereign consciousness.
The episode contrasts deceptive forms created by māyā with the authentic, liberating presence of Śiva worshipped as the Liṅga and as Tryambaka; devotion to the true Lord cuts through appearances and steadies the mind in the real.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with discernment (viveka), remembering that passing mental images are māyā while Śiva is the unwavering refuge.