Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 48
दधीच-शाप-हेतु-वर्णनम् / The Cause of Dadhīca’s Curse
Explaining Viṣṇu’s Role at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
नाभून्नाशाय तद्वज्रं दधीचस्य महात्मनः । प्रभावात्परमेशस्य धातृपुत्रो विसिस्मिये
nābhūnnāśāya tadvajraṃ dadhīcasya mahātmanaḥ | prabhāvātparameśasya dhātṛputro visismiye
Petir-besi (vajra) itu, yang lahir daripada mahatma Dadhīci, tidak membawa kebinasaan—demikianlah kedahsyatan kuasa Parameśvara, Tuhan Śiva. Melihat hal itu, putera Dhātṛ (dewa Pencipta) pun tercengang hairan.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana account to the sages)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse functions as a doctrinal exemplum: even the vajra (symbol of irresistible force) fails where Śiva’s prabhāva (sovereign power) withholds destruction.
Significance: Emphasizes śaraṇāgati to Śiva as the ultimate refuge beyond worldly/vedic weapons and merits; cultivates niṣṭhā (steadfast devotion) and humility before Parameśvara.
FAQs
It teaches that all worldly power—even a famed vajra—cannot operate independently of Parameśvara. In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, Pati (Śiva) is the ultimate governor of karma and outcomes; surrender to Him transforms fear of destruction into awe and devotion.
The verse highlights Śiva’s active, saguna lordship (prabhāva) within the cosmos—protecting, restraining, and directing events. Linga-worship centers on this Parameśvara who is both transcendent and immanent, the source through whom all powers become effective or ineffective.
A practical takeaway is to cultivate śaraṇāgati (refuge) through japa of the Panchākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and to offer simple Linga-pūjā with humility, remembering that divine grace, not force, determines the fruit of actions.