Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 29
अन्धक-प्रश्नः — Inquiry into Andhaka
Genealogy and Nature
अरण्यमाश्रित्य तपश्चकारासुरस्तदा कश्यपजस्सुतार्थम् । काष्ठोपमोऽसौ जितरोषदोषस्संदर्शनार्थं तु महेश्वरस्य
araṇyamāśritya tapaścakārāsurastadā kaśyapajassutārtham | kāṣṭhopamo'sau jitaroṣadoṣassaṃdarśanārthaṃ tu maheśvarasya
ਤਦ ਉਸ ਅਸੁਰ ਨੇ ਕਸ਼੍ਯਪਜ ਪੁੱਤਰ ਪ੍ਰਾਪਤੀ ਲਈ ਜੰਗਲ ਦਾ ਆਸਰਾ ਲੈ ਕੇ ਤਪ ਕੀਤਾ। ਲੱਕੜ ਵਾਂਗ ਅਡੋਲ ਹੋ ਕੇ, ਕ੍ਰੋਧ-ਦੋਸ਼ ਨੂੰ ਜਿੱਤ ਕੇ, ਕੇਵਲ ਮਹੇਸ਼ਵਰ ਦੇ ਦਰਸ਼ਨ ਲਈ ਹੀ ਉਸ ਨੇ ਉਹ ਤਪ ਆਰੰਭਿਆ।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Role: teaching
FAQs
It emphasizes that even a powerful being must refine the inner self—especially by conquering anger—and become steady in tapas; such inner discipline is presented as the groundwork for receiving Maheśvara’s darśana (gracious revelation).
The verse highlights darśana of Maheśvara as the fruit of austerity; in Shaiva practice this corresponds to seeking the Lord’s tangible, grace-filled presence—often approached through Saguna forms like the Śiva-liṅga, where devotion and disciplined worship culminate in felt nearness to Śiva.
The takeaway is tapas with krodha-nigraha (restraint of anger) and unwavering steadiness—meditating without distraction; practically, this aligns with daily Śiva-upāsanā such as japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a calm, motionless posture and purified intent.