Adhyaya 72 — Puradāha: Rudra’s Cosmic Chariot, Pāśupata-Vrata, and Brahmā’s Shiva-Stuti
अस्मद्धितार्थं देवेश शरं मोक्तुमिहार्हसि अथ संमृज्य धनुषो ज्यां हसन् त्रिपुरार्दनः
asmaddhitārthaṃ deveśa śaraṃ moktumihārhasi atha saṃmṛjya dhanuṣo jyāṃ hasan tripurārdanaḥ
「おおデーヴァたちの主よ、我らの安寧のため、ここで矢を放ち給え。」するとトリプラールダナ(シヴァ)は微笑み、弓の弦を拭い整えて—三重の束縛を終わらせる矢を放つ備えをなされた。
Suta Goswami (narrating the Devas’ appeal and Shiva’s response within the Tripura narrative)
It portrays Śiva as Pati—the compassionate Lord who acts “for our welfare,” mirroring Linga-pūjā where the devotee seeks His anugraha (grace) to cut pasha (bondage) and protect the pashu (individual soul).
Śiva-tattva is shown as sovereign and benevolent: He responds to the devas’ plea, smiles (sign of effortless mastery), and deliberately prepares the act that restores dharma—indicating His icchā-śakti and kriyā-śakti guiding liberation.
The “cleansing/setting right” of the bowstring suggests śuddhi and saṁskāra—purificatory preparation before decisive action; in Pāśupata-oriented practice this parallels inner purification and focused resolve before mantra-japa, dhyāna, and offering in Śiva-pūjā.