Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 63
राहोः शिरच्छेदन-कारणकथनम् / The Account of Rāhu’s Beheading
Cause and Background
दैत्यराजेन तेनातिहन्यमानास्समंततः । धैर्यं त्यक्त्वा पलायंत दिशो दश सवासवाः
daityarājena tenātihanyamānāssamaṃtataḥ | dhairyaṃ tyaktvā palāyaṃta diśo daśa savāsavāḥ
Nilusob sa lahat ng panig at matinding hinampas ng haring asura na iyon, ang mga Vasu at iba pang mga deva ay iniwan ang kanilang tapang at tumakas sa sampung direksiyon.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights that even devas can falter when separated from true inner steadfastness; in Shaiva thought, enduring dhairya is stabilized by reliance on Pati (Shiva), not merely by status or power.
In the Yuddhakhaṇḍa setting, the devas’ fear underscores the need to seek refuge in Saguna Shiva—worship of the Linga as Shiva’s gracious, accessible form—through whom protection and restoration of cosmic order are obtained.
A practical takeaway is to cultivate dhairya through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and remembrance of Shiva as protector, especially during adversity.