Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 23
मयस्य शिवस्तुतिः — Maya’s Hymn to Śiva
and Śiva’s Gracious Response
कृतं दुष्कर्म चास्माभिर्हे हरे हे विधे सुराः । दैत्यानां शिवभक्तानां शिवभक्तिर्विनाशिता
kṛtaṃ duṣkarma cāsmābhirhe hare he vidhe surāḥ | daityānāṃ śivabhaktānāṃ śivabhaktirvināśitā
“Wahai Hari, wahai Vidhātā (Brahmā), wahai para dewa! Kami telah melakukan dosa besar: kami telah memusnahkan bhakti kepada Śiva pada para Daitya yang merupakan bhakta Śiva.”
The Devas (gods), confessing collectively to Vishnu (Hari) and Brahma (Vidhi), within Suta’s narration
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse functions as a dharma-ethical warning within the war narrative: even ‘devas’ incur fault by disrupting Śiva-bhakti in others.
Significance: General tīrtha-idea implied: protecting and fostering Śiva-bhakti is meritorious; harming it is a grave pāpa.
FAQs
It teaches that Śiva-bhakti is sacred wherever it arises; obstructing or extinguishing devotion—even in an adversary—is a serious adharma that calls for repentance and restoration of right conduct.
By admitting the fault of destroying devotion to Śiva, the Devas affirm Saguna Śiva worship (such as Liṅga-upāsanā) as a legitimate, grace-bearing path; the narrative underscores that devotion, not birth or faction, is what draws Śiva’s favor.
The implied remedy is prāyaścitta through renewed Śiva-upāsanā—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), worship of the Liṅga with humility, and seeking forgiveness to protect and nourish bhakti rather than obstruct it.