Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 54
वीरभद्र–देवयुद्धवर्णनम्
Vīrabhadra and the Battle with the Devas
चंडश्चोत्पाटयामास पूष्णो दंतान् प्रवेगतः । शप्यमाने हरे पूर्वं योऽहसद्दर्शयन्दतः
caṃḍaścotpāṭayāmāsa pūṣṇo daṃtān pravegataḥ | śapyamāne hare pūrvaṃ yo'hasaddarśayandataḥ
Kemudian Caṇḍa meluru dengan ganas lalu mencabut gigi Pūṣan—dialah yang dahulu ketawa sambil menampakkan giginya ketika Dewa Hara (Śiva) dicela.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Sthala Purana: Within Dakṣa-yajña-bhaṅga: Pūṣan, who mocked Hara, is punished by having his teeth torn out—symbolic removal of derisive speech and arrogant laughter.
Significance: Moral instruction: ridicule of Śiva (śiva-nindā) rebounds; senses and speech must be purified by devotion.
FAQs
The verse teaches that contempt toward Hara (Śiva), especially public ridicule of the Supreme Pati, becomes an aparādha that ripens into swift consequence; it underscores Shaiva Siddhanta’s emphasis on humility, reverence, and right attitude as foundations for grace.
Pūṣan’s “showing teeth and laughing” symbolizes disrespect toward Saguna Śiva—Śiva approached through form, name, and worship. The narrative reinforces that honoring Śiva’s manifest presence (including the Liṅga) with devotion protects the worshipper, while derision blocks auspiciousness and invites downfall.
A practical takeaway is to cultivate śiva-bhakti with purity of speech and mind—daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and respectful observance of Śiva-pūjā (optionally with bhasma/tripuṇḍra) as antidotes to pride and disrespect.