Shloka 19
Arjuna’s Mantra-Empowerment and the Pāṇḍavas’ Separation (Śiva-rūpa through Mantra)
हरिश्चन्द्रस्य नृपतेर्जातं दुःखम्महत्तरम् । अकथ्यन्तद्विशेषेण परशोकावहन्तथा
hariścandrasya nṛpaterjātaṃ duḥkhammahattaram | akathyantadviśeṣeṇa paraśokāvahantathā
Đối với vua Hariścandra, một nỗi khổ cực kỳ to lớn đã phát sinh—chi tiết đến mức không thể kể hết—lại còn khiến kẻ khác cũng chìm trong sầu thảm.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights how intense karmic trials can arise even for a righteous king, and how steadfastness in dharma under suffering becomes a purifier of the soul (paśu) on the path toward Shiva’s grace (Pati-anugraha).
Though the verse itself describes Hariścandra’s sorrow, the Shiva Purana’s narrative frame typically uses such suffering to turn the devotee toward Saguna Shiva—seeking refuge in Shiva’s compassionate form and ultimately recognizing Shiva as the inner Lord who liberates from pāśa (bondage).
The implied takeaway is endurance with remembrance of Shiva—steady japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and sincere prayer for right discernment during adversity.