Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 57
दधीच-शाप-हेतु-वर्णनम् / The Cause of Dadhīca’s Curse
Explaining Viṣṇu’s Role at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
उवाच तं च गर्वेण न बिभेमीति सर्वतः । मृत्युंजयाप्त सुवरो गर्वितो ह्यतुलं हरिः
uvāca taṃ ca garveṇa na bibhemīti sarvataḥ | mṛtyuṃjayāpta suvaro garvito hyatulaṃ hariḥ
ਉਹ ਘਮੰਡ ਨਾਲ ਉਸਨੂੰ ਕਹਿਣ ਲੱਗਾ—“ਮੈਂ ਕਿਸੇ ਵੀ ਪਾਸੇ ਤੋਂ ਨਹੀਂ ਡਰਦਾ।” ਮ੍ਰਿਤਿਉੰਜਯ ਦਾ ਉੱਤਮ ਵਰ ਪਾ ਕੇ ਉਹ ਅਤੁਲ ਹਰੀ ਬਹੁਤ ਅਹੰਕਾਰੀ ਹੋ ਗਿਆ।
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; it highlights the peril of boons: ‘mṛtyuñjaya’ (victory over death) when appropriated by ego becomes a veil (tirodhāna) leading to downfall.
Significance: Instruction for pilgrims/devotees: even divine gifts must be held with humility; fearlessness without devotion becomes arrogance and bondage.
Type: mahamrityunjaya
FAQs
The verse highlights how even exalted power—such as a “victory over death” boon—can inflate ahaṅkāra (ego). In Shaiva Siddhanta, such pride strengthens bondage (pāśa), while humility and devotion to Pati (Śiva) lead toward liberation.
It implicitly contrasts ego-born fearlessness with true refuge. Linga/Saguṇa-Śiva worship trains the devotee to surrender pride and recognize that ultimate sovereignty and grace belong to Śiva, not to acquired boons or personal might.
A practical takeaway is daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) or the Mṛtyuñjaya mantra with a vow of humility, using vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as reminders to restrain ego and seek Śiva’s grace rather than power.