Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 6
हिरण्यकशिपोः क्रोधः तथा देवप्रजाकदनम् — Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Wrath and the Affliction of Devas and Beings
अथ ते भर्तृसंदेशमादाय शिरसाऽसुराः । देवप्रजानां कदनं विदधुः कदनप्रियाः
atha te bhartṛsaṃdeśamādāya śirasā'surāḥ | devaprajānāṃ kadanaṃ vidadhuḥ kadanapriyāḥ
Lalu para asura itu, menjunjung titah tuannya di atas kepala, mulai menebar pembantaian atas rakyat para dewa, karena mereka memang menyukai kehancuran.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
The verse portrays adharma as a force that spreads by obedience to egoic, violent command—symbolizing how the bound soul (paśu) becomes further entangled in pāśa (bondage) through cruelty and harm, which Shaiva Siddhānta treats as a deepening of karmic impurity (mala).
In the Yuddhakhaṇḍa setting, chaos among devas and beings highlights the need for refuge in Saguna Śiva—the compassionate Lord who restores dharma. Linga-worship signifies turning from destructive impulses to the stabilizing presence of Pati (Śiva), the supreme protector and regulator.
A practical takeaway is to seek Śiva’s protection through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and cultivating ahiṃsā; in traditional practice, this is supported by wearing rudrākṣa and applying tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as reminders to restrain harmful tendencies.