Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 30
दधीचाश्रमगमनम् — Viṣṇu’s Disguise and Dadhīca’s Fearlessness
Kṣu’s Request
ततो विष्णुगणान् तान्वै नियुध्य बहुशो रणे । ददाह सहसा सर्वान् दधी चश्शैव सत्तमः
tato viṣṇugaṇān tānvai niyudhya bahuśo raṇe | dadāha sahasā sarvān dadhī caśśaiva sattamaḥ
その後、戦場にてヴィシュヌの従者たちと幾度も戦い交えたのち、シヴァを奉ずる者の中の最勝者は、たちまち彼らすべてを焼き尽くし、灰と化した。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Role: destructive
FAQs
The verse highlights the irresistible power of Śiva’s side in dharmic cosmic order: when egoic opposition hardens into conflict, it is ultimately “burned” by the higher Śaiva force—symbolizing the destruction of impurity and the reduction of pride to bhasma (ash), a key emblem of renunciation and inner purification.
The act of being reduced to ashes echoes the Linga-centered Śaiva vision where all forms and forces resolve into Śiva as the supreme ground (Pati). In Saguna worship, Śiva’s fiery, transformative power is revered as that which dissolves limitation and restores beings toward liberation.
The imagery supports contemplation on bhasma as a reminder of impermanence and purification; a practical takeaway is reverent application of Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) with remembrance of Śiva and steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—as a means to burn inner impurities.