Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 49
गजासुरतपः–देवलोकक्षोभः
Gajāsura’s Austerities and the Disturbance of the Worlds
ततस्त्रिशूलहेतिस्तमायांतं दैत्यपुंगवम् । विज्ञायावध्यमन्येन शूलेनाभिजघान तम्
tatastriśūlahetistamāyāṃtaṃ daityapuṃgavam | vijñāyāvadhyamanyena śūlenābhijaghāna tam
そのとき三叉戟を執る御方は、かの魔族の雄が迫り来るのを見て、他の手段では討てぬと悟り、ゆえに別の三叉戟の槍で彼を打ち貫いた。
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Type: rudram
FAQs
The verse highlights that adharma may appear “invulnerable” to ordinary efforts, but it is overcome by Shiva’s own śakti—symbolized by the trident—showing that liberation and protection ultimately arise from the Lord (Pati) rather than limited individual power.
As Saguna Shiva, the Lord takes up form and instruments (like the trident) to protect devotees and restore dharma. Linga-worship remembers this same Shiva as the supreme reality who becomes accessible through sacred form, while remaining beyond all.
A practical takeaway is to invoke Shiva’s protective power through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and to cultivate inner steadiness—seeing the trident as mastery over the three guṇas—while offering one’s fear and ego into Shiva’s guardianship.