Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 26
Bhaimaśaṅkara-māhātmya: Śiva’s Descent in Kāmarūpa and the Rise of Bhīma
देवा ऊचुः । ब्रह्मन्वै रक्षसस्तेजो लोकान्पीडितुमुद्यतम् । यत्प्रार्थ्यते च दुष्टेन तत्त्वं देहि वरं विधे
devā ūcuḥ | brahmanvai rakṣasastejo lokānpīḍitumudyatam | yatprārthyate ca duṣṭena tattvaṃ dehi varaṃ vidhe
ਦੇਵ ਬੋਲੇ—ਹੇ ਬ੍ਰਹਮਨ! ਰਾਖਸ਼ਸ ਦਾ ਤੇਜ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਨੂੰ ਪੀੜਨ ਲਈ ਉੱਠ ਖੜਾ ਹੋਇਆ ਹੈ। ਉਹ ਦੁਸ਼ਟ ਜੋ ਵਰ ਮੰਗਦਾ ਹੈ, ਹੇ ਵਿਧਾਤਾ, ਤੱਤਵ-ਧਰਮ ਅਨੁਸਾਰ ਐਸਾ ਵਰ ਦਿਓ ਕਿ ਲੋਕਾਂ ਦੀ ਰੱਖਿਆ ਹੋਵੇ।
The Devas (gods) addressing Brahma
Tattva Level: pasha
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights that divine power must be administered according to tattva (right principle) and dharma, even when responding to a wicked petitioner—so cosmic order is preserved and suffering to beings is restrained.
In the Kotirudra Samhita’s Jyotirlinga setting, protection of the worlds ultimately rests with Saguna Shiva’s compassionate governance; the devas’ appeal shows that boons and their limits are resolved through the higher divine order that Jyotirlinga worship invokes.
A practical takeaway is to pray with the Panchakshara mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) for protection and right discernment (tattva-jñāna), seeking that all outcomes align with dharma rather than mere desire.