Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 62
राहोः शिरच्छेदन-कारणकथनम् / The Account of Rāhu’s Beheading
Cause and Background
सनत्कुमार उवाच । श्रुत्वा तद्वचनं देवास्सुराचार्यप्रकीर्तितम् । जयाशां त्यक्तवंतस्ते भयविह्वलितास्तथा
sanatkumāra uvāca | śrutvā tadvacanaṃ devāssurācāryaprakīrtitam | jayāśāṃ tyaktavaṃtaste bhayavihvalitāstathā
Sanatkumāra nói: Nghe những lời ấy do vị đạo sư của chư thiên tuyên bố, các devas liền buông bỏ niềm hy vọng chiến thắng và trở nên rúng động vì sợ hãi.
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It shows how worldly power and confidence (jayāśā) can collapse when confronted by a higher, divinely-ordained situation; in Shaiva understanding, true refuge is in Pati (Śiva), not in mere strategy or pride.
The devas’ fear highlights the need to turn from external reliance to devotional surrender; in the Shiva Purana this is typically resolved through approaching Śiva in saguna worship—often through Liṅga-upāsanā—as the accessible form of the Supreme.
When fear arises, take shelter in japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with steady breath, and reinforce devotion through simple Śiva-pūjā (water offering to the Liṅga) as an antidote to bhaya (anxiety).