Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 19
तुलसी-शङ्खचूडोपाख्यानम् — Viṣṇu’s Disguise and the Tulasī Episode
Prelude to Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Fall
कुशली त्वमिहायातस्तं जित्वा परमेश्वरम् । कथं बभूव विजयस्तव ब्रूहि तदेव मे
kuśalī tvamihāyātastaṃ jitvā parameśvaram | kathaṃ babhūva vijayastava brūhi tadeva me
“Ngươi đã đến đây bình an chăng, sau khi khuất phục Đấng Tối Thượng? Hãy nói cho ta biết—chiến thắng của ngươi đã thành tựu thế nào? Hãy giải bày chính điều ấy cho ta.”
Inferred: A divine or royal interlocutor addressing a returning combatant/hero within the Yuddhakhaṇḍa narrative (dialogue frame within Rudrasaṃhitā); ultimate narration context traditionally flows through Sūta to the sages.
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights that even when someone claims “victory” over Parameśvara, the deeper Shaiva teaching is that outcomes occur only by Śiva’s will; true triumph is humility and recognition of the Lord as Pati (the Supreme).
Calling Śiva “Parameśvara” points to Saguna Śiva who engages in līlā within history; devotion to the Liṅga trains the devotee to see all power and success as Śiva’s presence, not the ego’s achievement.
A practical takeaway is to perform japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and offer gratitude (with bhasma/Tripuṇḍra or simple water/flowers) after any success, cultivating surrender rather than pride.