Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 15
हिरण्यकशिपोः क्रोधः तथा देवप्रजाकदनम् — Hiraṇyakaśipu’s Wrath and the Affliction of Devas and Beings
प्रताप्य लोकानखिलांस्ततोऽसौ समागतं पद्मभवं ददर्श । वरं हि दातुं तमुवाच धाता वरं वृणीष्वेति पितामहोपि । निशम्य वाचं मधुरां विधातुर्वचोऽब्रवीदेव ममूढबुद्धिः
pratāpya lokānakhilāṃstato'sau samāgataṃ padmabhavaṃ dadarśa | varaṃ hi dātuṃ tamuvāca dhātā varaṃ vṛṇīṣveti pitāmahopi | niśamya vācaṃ madhurāṃ vidhāturvaco'bravīdeva mamūḍhabuddhiḥ
تمام جہانوں کو اپنے رعب سے مغلوب کر کے اس نے پھر پدمبھَو (برہما) کو آتے دیکھا۔ بخششِ ور کی نیت سے دھاتا، پِتامہ برہما نے اس سے کہا: “کوئی ور مانگ لو۔” ودھاتا کے شیریں کلام کو سن کر وہ گمراہ ذہن والا جواب دینے لگا۔
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: Boons granted by Brahmā to asuras are a recurring Purāṇic device; here it sets up later conflict and the necessity of Śiva’s restoring action.
Significance: Instructional: worldly ‘vara’ obtained through tapas can intensify bondage (pāśa) when driven by delusion; true safety lies in Śiva’s anugraha, not in boon-politics.
Cosmic Event: Asura’s prowess ‘subdues’ worlds; Brahmā’s arrival to regulate through boon-granting—prelude to imbalance.
FAQs
It highlights that even after conquering worlds, the mind can remain moha-bound (deluded). In Shaiva understanding, true victory is not dominion but purification leading to Shiva’s grace and liberation.
The verse contrasts worldly conquest with the need for right orientation. Linga/Saguna Shiva worship trains the devotee to seek Shiva’s anugraha (grace) rather than boons that intensify ego—turning power into devotion and surrender.
Choose boons inwardly: practice japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and a prayer for buddhi-śuddhi (clarity of intellect), not for domination or revenge.