Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 29
गजासुरतपः–देवलोकक्षोभः
Gajāsura’s Austerities and the Disturbance of the Worlds
एकस्मिन्समये तात दानवोऽसौ महाबलः । अगच्छद्राजधानीं व शंकरस्य गजासुरः
ekasminsamaye tāta dānavo'sau mahābalaḥ | agacchadrājadhānīṃ va śaṃkarasya gajāsuraḥ
ஒரு சமயத்தில், தாதா, அந்த மகாபலமுடைய தானவன் கஜாசுரன் சங்கரனின் ராஜதானியை நோக்கி புறப்பட்டு அங்கே சென்றடைந்தான்।
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Gajasamhāramūrti
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: The scene is set in Śaṅkara’s royal city identified as Kāśī; in Purāṇic Kāśī-māhātmya traditions, Viśveśvara/Viśvanātha is the self-revealed Lord who protects the kṣetra when adharma forces intrude.
Significance: Entering Kāśī and taking darśana of Viśvanātha is framed as entering Śiva’s own realm; remembrance of the Lord here is said to burn pāśa (bondage) and grant kṣetra-anugraha (protective grace).
FAQs
It signals the approach of adharma (demonic force) toward the Lord’s domain, foreshadowing how Śiva, as Pati (the Supreme Lord), subdues the pashu-like ego and restores dharma—an essential Shaiva theme.
By naming Śaṅkara and describing His “royal city,” the text emphasizes Saguna Śiva—God with attributes—who becomes accessible to devotees through sacred places, temple worship, and Linga-centered devotion while remaining the transcendent Lord.
As the verse introduces a conflict with demonic power, a practical Shaiva takeaway is protective remembrance of Śiva—japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” ideally with vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as aids to steadiness and devotion.