Shloka 4

अन्धकानुग्रहः—शूलारोपणं, रुद्रस्मरण-फलम्, तथा गाणपत्य-प्रदानम् (अध्याय 93)

Devanagari script

पुरान्धक इति ख्यातस् तपसा लब्धविक्रमः प्रसादाद्ब्रह्मणः साक्षाद् अवध्यत्वमवाप्य च

Transliteration

purāndhaka iti khyātas tapasā labdhavikramaḥ prasādādbrahmaṇaḥ sākṣād avadhyatvamavāpya ca

Translation

அவன் ‘புராந்தகன்’ என்று புகழ்பெற்றான். தவத்தால் வீரத்தைக் கண்டான்; நேரே பிரம்மாவின் அருளால் கொல்லமுடியாத தன்மையின் வரத்தையும் பெற்றான்।

Word by Word

• पुरा-अन्धकः: Pūrāndhaka (the one formerly called Andhaka)

• इति: thus

• ख्यातः: became famous/was known

• तपसा: by austerity (tapas)

• लब्ध-विक्रमः: having obtained prowess/valor

• प्रसादात्: by the favor/grace

• ब्रह्मणः: of Brahmā

• साक्षात्: directly/in person

• अवध्यत्वम्: the state of being unslayable/invulnerable

• अवाप्य: having attained/obtained

• च: and

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Characters & Entities

• Brahma
• Andhaka

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

It contrasts worldly boons gained by tapas (power/invulnerability) with the higher Shaiva aim: surrender to Pati (Śiva) through Linga-centered devotion, which alone cuts pasha (bondage) rather than inflating ego.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

Implicitly, it shows that even “invincibility” granted by Brahmā is conditional within saṃsāra; Śiva as Pati transcends such limits, and only His anugraha leads the pashu beyond the net of pasha.

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

Tapas (austerity) is highlighted as a yogic force for gaining siddhi-like power; the Shaiva takeaway is that tapas must be yoked to Pashupata orientation—humility and devotion to Śiva—otherwise it reinforces bondage.