Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 16
देव्याः क्रोधः शक्तिनिर्माणं च
Devī’s Wrath and the Manifestation of the Śaktis
कराली कुब्जका खंजा लंबशीर्षा ह्यनेकशः । हस्ते धृत्वा तु देवांश्च मुखे चैवाक्षिपंस्तदा
karālī kubjakā khaṃjā laṃbaśīrṣā hyanekaśaḥ | haste dhṛtvā tu devāṃśca mukhe caivākṣipaṃstadā
அப்போது அவள் பல பயங்கர வடிவங்களில்—கராளி, குப்ஜை, கஞ்சை, நீண்டத் தலை உடையவள்—தேவர்களை கைகளில் பிடித்து தன் வாயில் எறிந்தாள்।
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Purāṇic account to the sages, within the Kumārakhaṇḍa narrative)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Jyotirlinga: Mahākāleśvara
Sthala Purana: The devouring, time-consuming imagery (gods seized and cast into the mouth) aligns with Mahākāla/Bhairava-Kālī symbolism where even devas are subject to kāla and saṃhāra.
Significance: Cultivates detachment and surrender: even divine offices are transient before Śiva-Śakti’s cosmic function.
Shakti Form: Kālī
Role: destructive
Cosmic Event: Pralaya/saṃhāra visualization: devouring of devas as a sign that cosmic roles dissolve in time
FAQs
The verse highlights the limitation of even the devas before overwhelming divine power, pointing to the Shaiva view that all celestial authority is subordinate to the Supreme (Pati) and that pride in power is dissolved by the Divine.
It emphasizes Saguna manifestation—terrifying, world-subduing forms that act within time and story—reminding devotees that the same Supreme Reality worshipped as the Linga can also appear with fierce attributes to restore cosmic order.
The practical takeaway is humility and surrender in japa and worship—especially steady remembrance of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined Shaiva practice (bhasma/Tripuṇḍra and Rudrākṣa) to overcome fear and ego.