Shiva Purana — Uma Samhita, Shloka 54
Mahiṣāsura’s Conquest of Svarga and the Devas’ Appeal to Śiva and Viṣṇu
पपौ पुनःपुनः पानं जहासोद्भ्रान्तलोचना । जगर्ज चासुरः सोऽपि बलवीर्यमदो द्धतः
papau punaḥpunaḥ pānaṃ jahāsodbhrāntalocanā | jagarja cāsuraḥ so'pi balavīryamado ddhataḥ
அவன் மீண்டும் மீண்டும் மயக்கப் பானத்தை அருந்தினான்; மயக்கத்தில் அவன் கண்கள் சுழன்றன, பெரிதாய் சிரித்தான். அந்த அசுரனும் வலமும் வீரமும் என்ற அகந்தையால் வீங்கிக் கர்ஜித்தான்.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights mada (intoxicating pride) as a form of pāśa (bondage): when consciousness is clouded by repeated indulgence, the asuric tendency of arrogance rises, leading to spiritual downfall and further karmic entanglement.
By contrast: Linga-worship disciplines the senses and ego through devotion and purity, while the asura’s intoxication shows the opposite movement—away from Shiva’s sattvic alignment and toward tamas/rajas that obstructs grace.
A takeaway is sense-restraint and ego-check through japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and regular Tripuṇḍra-bhasma dhāraṇa as reminders of impermanence and humility.