Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 60
राहोः शिरच्छेदन-कारणकथनम् / The Account of Rāhu’s Beheading
Cause and Background
जलंधरो महादैत्यो नायं जेतुं क्षमो यतः । रुद्रांशसंभवो ह्येष सर्वामरविमर्दनः
jalaṃdharo mahādaityo nāyaṃ jetuṃ kṣamo yataḥ | rudrāṃśasaṃbhavo hyeṣa sarvāmaravimardanaḥ
“Jalandhara é um grande Daitya; por isso não pode ser vencido por meios comuns. Pois nasceu de uma porção do poder de Rudra e esmaga todos os Devas.”
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
The verse teaches that mere celestial power is insufficient against a force rooted in Rudra-śakti; victory depends on alignment with Shiva’s will and dharma, not only strength—an implicit warning against pride and a reminder of Pati (Shiva) as the ultimate governor.
By stating that Jalandhara arises from Rudra’s portion, the text underscores Saguna Shiva as the manifest Lord whose śakti governs creation, protection, and dissolution; Linga-worship centers devotion on that supreme source from whom even formidable powers arise.
A practical takeaway is to seek Shiva’s grace through Panchākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with humility, supported by Shaiva disciplines like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as aids to steadiness and surrender rather than reliance on egoic power.