Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 50
दधीच-शाप-हेतु-वर्णनम् / The Cause of Dadhīca’s Curse
Explaining Viṣṇu’s Role at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
आराधयामास हरिं मुकुन्दमिन्द्रानुजं काननमाशु गत्वा । प्रपन्नपालश्च पराजितो हि दधीचमृत्युंजयसेवकेन
ārādhayāmāsa hariṃ mukundamindrānujaṃ kānanamāśu gatvā | prapannapālaśca parājito hi dadhīcamṛtyuṃjayasevakena
Mabilis siyang nagtungo sa gubat at sumamba kay Hari—si Mukunda, nakababatang kapatid ni Indra. Ngunit ang tinatawag na “tagapangalaga ng mga sumusuko” ay tunay na napagtagumpayan ng lingkod ni Mṛtyuṃjaya, si Dadhīci—na nagpapakita na ang biyaya ni Śiva ay nakahihigit sa lahat ng ibang kanlungan.
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Nīlakaṇṭha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; it is a sectarian-theological pivot: seeking refuge in Hari still does not override the devotee empowered by Mṛtyuṃjaya—implying Śiva’s higher dispensation in this episode.
Significance: Teaches hierarchy of refuge in this Purāṇic frame: other deities may grant darśana/boons, yet Śiva’s anugraha/tirodhāna governs outcomes; strengthens exclusive devotion (ananya-bhakti) to Mṛtyuṃjaya.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that even revered divine refuges are secondary to Śiva (Mṛtyuṃjaya) in granting true protection and victory; the devotee empowered by Śiva’s grace can overcome what appears invincible.
By highlighting Mṛtyuṃjaya’s active saving power, it supports Saguna Śiva worship—often approached through the Śiva-liṅga—where surrender and devotion draw Śiva’s tangible grace in worldly and spiritual crises.
Mṛtyuṃjaya-upāsanā is implied—especially japa of the Mahāmṛtyuñjaya mantra, along with Śiva-bhakti practices such as applying tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and steady meditation on Śiva as the Conqueror of Death.