Shloka 31
Ikṣvāku-vaṃśa-prasaṅgaḥ — Genealogy of the Ikṣvāku Line and Exempla of Royal Dharma
तस्य पुत्रैः खनद्भिस्तु वालुकांतर्गतस्तु सः । धुन्धुरासादितो ब्रह्मन्दिशमाश्रित्य पश्चि माम्
tasya putraiḥ khanadbhistu vālukāṃtargatastu saḥ | dhundhurāsādito brahmandiśamāśritya paści mām
તેના પુત્રો ખોદતા હતા ત્યારે તે રેતીની અંદર જ દટાઈ ગયો. પછી ધુન્ધુથી પીડિત થઈ, હે બ્રહ્મન, તેણે પશ્ચિમ દિશાનો આશ્રય લઈને શરણ લીધું.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Sthala Purana: The ‘burial in sand’ and assault by Dhundhu dramatize bondage: the hero is overwhelmed by the very field he is excavating, necessitating refuge (śaraṇāgati).
Significance: Encodes the Siddhānta insight: paśu, when pressed by pāśa (obscuration/tirodhāna), turns toward refuge—prelude to liberating intervention.
FAQs
It highlights the helplessness of the bound soul (paśu) when overwhelmed by hostile forces, and the need to seek refuge—symbolically turning toward a higher protection—ultimately fulfilled in surrender to Pati (Lord Shiva).
Though the verse is narrative, its inner thrust is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge). In Shiva Purana devotion, this culminates in approaching Saguna Shiva—often through Linga worship—as the accessible protector who removes fear and obstacles.
A practical takeaway is to practice refuge through japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and daily Śiva-smaraṇa, especially when fear or adversity arises.