Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 42
तारकासुर-पूर्ववृत्त-प्रश्नः (Questions on Tārakāsura and Śivā’s tapas) / “Inquiry into Tārakāsura’s origin and Śivā–Śiva narrative”
वज्रांग उवाच । सुतं देहि स्वमातुर्मे महाहितकरं प्रभो । महाबलं सुप्रतापं सुसमर्थं तपोनिधिम्
vajrāṃga uvāca | sutaṃ dehi svamāturme mahāhitakaraṃ prabho | mahābalaṃ supratāpaṃ susamarthaṃ taponidhim
وَجرانگ نے کہا—اے پرَبھو! میری ماں کو ایسا بیٹا عطا فرما جو اس کے لیے عظیم بھلائی کا سبب ہو—نہایت قوی، درخشاں شجاعت والا، کامل طور پر قادر اور تپسیا کا خزانہ۔
Vajrāṅga
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse is a boon-request scene where a devotee seeks progeny and welfare through divine grace.
Significance: Frames putra-prārthanā (seeking a worthy son) as an act of śaraṇāgati to the Lord, aligning worldly welfare with dharma and tapas.
FAQs
The verse presents a Shaiva ideal of divine grace: one seeks Shiva’s blessing not merely for worldly gain, but for a virtuous, capable, tapas-endowed life that becomes a cause of welfare (hita) for family and dharma.
The request is addressed to “Prabhu,” reflecting Saguna Shiva as the compassionate Lord who responds to prayer and devotion. In Linga-worship, devotees similarly petition Shiva for dharmic blessings—strength, competence, and spiritual merit—rather than mere indulgence.
The emphasis on “tapo-nidhi” points to disciplined sadhana—japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), observance of vrata (especially Mahāśivarātri), and steady tapas supported by purity and devotion.