Shloka 18
Śiva’s Narasiṃha-Stotra and the Pacification of the Mātṛgaṇas
अन्धकस्य विनाशाय या सृष्टा मातरो मया / अनादृत्य तु मद्वाक्यं भक्ष्यन्त्वद्भुताः प्रजाः
andhakasya vināśāya yā sṛṣṭā mātaro mayā / anādṛtya tu madvākyaṃ bhakṣyantvadbhutāḥ prajāḥ
“Những Mẫu Thần mà ta đã tạo ra để diệt Andhaka—lại khinh thường lời ta—sẽ nuốt chửng các loài hữu tình kỳ diệu ấy.”
Lord Shiva (contextual attribution: mythic narration involving Andhaka and the Mātṛkās)
Concept: Unchecked śakti/force, when ungoverned by niyama (command/order), becomes destructive even to the ‘wondrous beings’; power must be restrained by dharma.
Vedantic Theme: Prakṛti/śakti requires īśvara-niyantṛtva (governance); when regulation fails, saṃhāra tendencies manifest.
Application: In leadership or personal discipline, set clear constraints for powerful tools (authority, technology, anger); ensure accountability to prevent collateral harm.
Primary Rasa: raudra
Secondary Rasa: bhayanaka
Related Themes: Garuda Purana 1.231.19 (Śiva’s inability to withdraw what was created); Garuda Purana 1.231.17 (petition context)
FAQs
This verse presents the Mātṛkās as divinely created powers meant for a specific cosmic purpose; it highlights their formidable role and the importance of aligning such power with divine instruction.
It states that even beings created for a righteous objective can become destructive when they disregard the creator’s directive, illustrating a Purāṇic principle that dharma depends on right governance of power.
Use power—authority, strength, or influence—only for its rightful purpose; when discipline and guidance are ignored, even good capacities can cause harm.