Shiva Purana — Satarudra Samhita, Shloka 10
यक्षेश्वरावतारः (Yakṣeśvara-Avatāra) and the Nīlakaṇṭha Paradigm in the Churning of the Ocean
तत्पपुः केवलन्देवा नासुराः कृपया हरेः । ततो बभूव सुमहद्रत्नं तेषां मिथोऽकदम्
tatpapuḥ kevalandevā nāsurāḥ kṛpayā hareḥ | tato babhūva sumahadratnaṃ teṣāṃ mitho'kadam
Sa habag ni Panginoong Hari, ang mga Deva lamang ang uminom nito—hindi ang mga asura. Pagkaraan, may isang napakadakilang hiyas na lumitaw, at iyon ang naging sanhi ng alitan sa pagitan nila.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Sthala Purana: Hari’s stratagem ensures devas alone drink amṛta; the ensuing ‘great jewel’ becomes a cause of conflict—illustrating how māyā’s distribution and concealment (tirodhāna) perpetuate rivalry and bondage.
Significance: Instructional: even ‘divine gifts’ can intensify egoic division; seek Śiva’s anugraha rather than competitive possession of ratnas.
Cosmic Event: Samudra-manthana: devas receive amṛta; conflict over a great jewel
FAQs
It shows that divine grace determines who receives the fruit of a sacred attainment, and it warns that even after a boon is gained, attachment to newly arisen objects (like a jewel) can quickly generate conflict—hence the Shaiva call to vairagya and steadiness of mind.
The narrative highlights that worldly gains can distract beings into rivalry; Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is prescribed as a stabilizing Saguna focus that purifies desire and redirects attention from possession to devotion and inner surrender to Pati (Shiva).
Cultivate detachment while performing Shiva-upasana—daily Panchakshara japa ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and rudrākṣa as reminders to restrain greed and keep the mind from falling into contention.