Shloka 22
काम-शक्र-संवादः / Dialogue of Kāma and Śakra
Indra
ब्रह्माणं वा हरिं वापि भ्रष्टं कुर्य्यां न संशयः । अन्येषां गणना नास्ति पातयेयं हरं त्वपि
brahmāṇaṃ vā hariṃ vāpi bhraṣṭaṃ kuryyāṃ na saṃśayaḥ | anyeṣāṃ gaṇanā nāsti pātayeyaṃ haraṃ tvapi
బ్రహ్మ అయినా హరి (విష్ణు) అయినా, వారిని కూడా నేను నిస్సందేహంగా భ్రంశింపజేయగలను. ఇతరుల సంగతి లెక్కే కాదు; హరుడు (శివుడు)నూ పడగొట్టగలను।
An arrogant asura/antagonistic figure speaking boastfully within the Pārvatīkhaṇḍa narrative (as relayed in the Rudra Saṃhitā).
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
The verse highlights the blindness of ahaṅkāra (ego): a finite being claims power even over Brahmā, Viṣṇu, and Śiva. In Shaiva Siddhānta, such pride is a form of pāśa (bondage) that inevitably leads to downfall, while humility and surrender to Pati (Śiva) lead toward grace and liberation.
By contrasting boastful self-power with the reality of Śiva’s supremacy, the narrative pushes the devotee toward śaraṇāgati (refuge) in Saguna Śiva—often worshipped as the Śivaliṅga. Liṅga worship trains the mind away from ego toward reverence for the Lord who transcends and supports all functions of creation, preservation, and dissolution.
The practical takeaway is to counter ego through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” performed with a calm mind, ideally while applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and cultivating humility—seeing all power as belonging to Śiva and seeking His anugraha (grace).