Shloka 19
Arjuna’s Mantra-Empowerment and the Pāṇḍavas’ Separation (Śiva-rūpa through Mantra)
हरिश्चन्द्रस्य नृपतेर्जातं दुःखम्महत्तरम् । अकथ्यन्तद्विशेषेण परशोकावहन्तथा
hariścandrasya nṛpaterjātaṃ duḥkhammahattaram | akathyantadviśeṣeṇa paraśokāvahantathā
สำหรับพระราชาหริศจันทรา ได้เกิดทุกข์อันใหญ่ยิ่ง—ละเอียดลึกซึ้งจนยากจะพรรณนา—และยังนำความโศกอันหนักแก่ผู้อื่นด้วย.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights how intense karmic trials can arise even for a righteous king, and how steadfastness in dharma under suffering becomes a purifier of the soul (paśu) on the path toward Shiva’s grace (Pati-anugraha).
Though the verse itself describes Hariścandra’s sorrow, the Shiva Purana’s narrative frame typically uses such suffering to turn the devotee toward Saguna Shiva—seeking refuge in Shiva’s compassionate form and ultimately recognizing Shiva as the inner Lord who liberates from pāśa (bondage).
The implied takeaway is endurance with remembrance of Shiva—steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and sincere prayer for right discernment during adversity.