Shloka 19
Arjuna’s Mantra-Empowerment and the Pāṇḍavas’ Separation (Śiva-rūpa through Mantra)
हरिश्चन्द्रस्य नृपतेर्जातं दुःखम्महत्तरम् । अकथ्यन्तद्विशेषेण परशोकावहन्तथा
hariścandrasya nṛpaterjātaṃ duḥkhammahattaram | akathyantadviśeṣeṇa paraśokāvahantathā
ഹരിശ്ചന്ദ്ര രാജാവിന് അത്യന്തം മഹത്തായ ദുഃഖം സംഭവിച്ചു; അതിന്റെ പ്രത്യേക വിവരങ്ങൾ പറയാനാകാത്തവ, അതു മറ്റുള്ളവർക്കും ഗാഢശോകം വരുത്തുന്നതായിരുന്നു.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights how intense karmic trials can arise even for a righteous king, and how steadfastness in dharma under suffering becomes a purifier of the soul (paśu) on the path toward Shiva’s grace (Pati-anugraha).
Though the verse itself describes Hariścandra’s sorrow, the Shiva Purana’s narrative frame typically uses such suffering to turn the devotee toward Saguna Shiva—seeking refuge in Shiva’s compassionate form and ultimately recognizing Shiva as the inner Lord who liberates from pāśa (bondage).
The implied takeaway is endurance with remembrance of Shiva—steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and sincere prayer for right discernment during adversity.