क्षुपस्य विष्णुदर्शनं, वैष्णवस्तोत्रं, दधीचविवादः, स्थानेश्वरतीर्थमाहात्म्यं
श्रुत्वानुगृह्य तं विप्रो दधीचस्तपतां वरः राजानं मुनिशार्दूलः शशाप च सुरोत्तमान्
śrutvānugṛhya taṃ vipro dadhīcastapatāṃ varaḥ rājānaṃ muniśārdūlaḥ śaśāpa ca surottamān
Setelah mendengar hal itu dan menunjukkan belas kasih kepadanya, Brahmana Dadhici—yang terkemuka di antara para pertapa, O Raja, bagaikan harimau di antara para resi—mengucapkan kutukan bahkan kepada para Dewa yang mulia.
Suta Goswami (outer narration, contextual)
It highlights that tapas and dharma upheld by realized rishis carry spiritual authority; in the Linga Purana’s Shaiva frame, such authority ultimately derives from Pati (Shiva), who empowers dharmic order that supports Linga-centered worship and discipline.
Though Shiva is not named, the verse reflects a Shaiva principle: even Devas are not absolute; higher law operates through tapas and truth. This points to Shiva-tattva as the supreme regulative reality (Pati) before whom all beings—including gods—remain accountable.
Tapas (austerity) is central—self-restraint and concentrated spiritual force, aligned with Pashupata-style discipline, where mastery over body and mind loosens pasha (bondage) for the pashu (soul).