Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 26
मेना-हिमालयसंवादः
Menā’s Counsel to Himālaya; Response to Slander of Śiva
देवानां दुःखमुत्पन्नं ता रकात्सुदुरात्मनः । ब्रह्मणा च वरौ दत्तः किं करोमि दुरासदः
devānāṃ duḥkhamutpannaṃ tā rakātsudurātmanaḥ | brahmaṇā ca varau dattaḥ kiṃ karomi durāsadaḥ
あの邪悪なるターラカによって、神々には大いなる苦しみが生じた。しかもブラフマーが彼に恩寵の賜物を与えた以上、かくも打ち難き者に対して、我に何ができようか。
Lord Shiva (inferred, responding to the Devas’ plight regarding Tārakāsura in the Pārvatīkhaṇḍa narrative)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It highlights that worldly power—even when protected by boons—cannot override cosmic order (dharma). The Devas’ suffering becomes a prompt for seeking the Supreme Lord’s higher will, showing that protection and liberation ultimately depend on Shiva’s grace rather than mere celestial privileges.
The verse points to Saguna Shiva as the compassionate, responsive Lord who intervenes in the world when dharma is threatened. Linga-worship embodies approaching Shiva as the accessible Supreme (Pati) who can dissolve seemingly “invincible” obstacles created by karma, arrogance, or boon-born pride.
A practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (surrender) expressed through japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and steady Linga-pūjā with bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa, seeking Shiva’s protection when difficulties appear insurmountable.