Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 46
वराङ्ग्याः सुतजन्म-उत्पातवर्णनम् | Birth of Varāṅgī’s Son and the Description of Portents
Utpātas
राज्यं चकार विधिवस्त्रिलोकस्य स तारकः । प्रजाश्च पालयामास पीडयन्निर्जरादिकान्
rājyaṃ cakāra vidhivastrilokasya sa tārakaḥ | prajāśca pālayāmāsa pīḍayannirjarādikān
Tāraka sau đó đã cai trị ba thế giới theo đúng nghi thức, và hắn duy trì các thần dân của mình—trong khi đồng thời hành hạ các Deva và các thực thể thiên giới khác.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
The verse highlights how outward order can coexist with inner adharma: Tāraka “rules properly” on the surface yet oppresses the Devas. In Shaiva understanding, true sovereignty is aligned with dharma and reverence for Pati (Shiva); power divorced from devotion becomes bondage-producing and fuels suffering in the worlds.
Tāraka’s oppression of the Devas sets the narrative need for Saguna Shiva’s saving intervention through divine līlā. Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is presented as a stabilizing dharmic axis—turning beings from asuric domination toward Shiva’s grace and cosmic balance.
As a practical takeaway, one may strengthen dharmic steadiness through daily Panchākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) remembrance of impermanence—countering the asuric tendency of egoic control symbolized by Tāraka.