Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 18
भूतत्रिपुरधर्मवर्णनम् (Description of the Dharma/Conduct of the Bhūta-Tripura) — Chapter 3
सनत्कुमार उवाच । इत्युक्त्वा ते तदा देवा दुःखं कृत्वा पुनः पुनः । स्थितिं नैव गतिं ते वै चक्रुर्देववरादिह
sanatkumāra uvāca | ityuktvā te tadā devā duḥkhaṃ kṛtvā punaḥ punaḥ | sthitiṃ naiva gatiṃ te vai cakrurdevavarādiha
สนัตกุมารกล่าวว่า—ครั้นกล่าวดังนี้แล้ว เหล่าเทพก็เศร้าโศกซ้ำแล้วซ้ำเล่า โอ้ผู้ประเสริฐในหมู่เทพ ณ ที่นี้พวกเขามิได้พบทั้งความมั่นคงและหนทางดำเนินการใดๆ
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga context; Sanatkumāra narrates the devas’ paralysis—an experiential mark of tirodhāna (concealment), where clarity of right means is veiled until grace intervenes.
Significance: Highlights the theological point that even devas can be ‘bound’ by limitation; encourages surrender and seeking Śiva’s anugraha when discernment fails.
FAQs
It highlights the condition of limited beings—even gods—when overwhelmed by duḥkha: without the stabilizing grace of Pati (Śiva), they cannot find true “sthiti” (inner steadiness) or “gati” (right recourse). In Shaiva Siddhanta, this points to dependence on Śiva’s anugraha (divine grace) for clarity and liberation.
The devas’ inability to find a way forward sets the narrative ground for turning toward Saguna Śiva—worship through the Liṅga, mantra, and devotion—because the Liṅga signifies Śiva as the accessible refuge (āśraya) who grants protection, order, and right direction when worldly powers fail.
A practical takeaway is to seek steadiness through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and simple Liṅga-upāsanā; applying vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and maintaining remembrance of Śiva are traditional Shaiva supports for regaining “sthiti” when the mind is shaken.