Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 52
गजासुरतपः–देवलोकक्षोभः
Gajāsura’s Austerities and the Disturbance of the Worlds
तव हस्ते मम वधो महाश्रेयस्करो मतः । अंधकारे महेशान त्रिपुरांतक सर्वग
tava haste mama vadho mahāśreyaskaro mataḥ | aṃdhakāre maheśāna tripurāṃtaka sarvaga
“死在您的手中，在我看来，是至高无上的吉祥。噢，大自在天（Maheśāna），噢，三重城的毁灭者，噢，无处不在的主——即使在这愚痴的黑暗中，我也向您皈依。”
Andhaka (addressing Lord Shiva)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Tripurāntaka
Sthala Purana: Though not a Jyotirliṅga verse, the epithet Tripurāntaka recalls Śiva’s destruction of Tripura—often linked in sthala traditions to Śiva’s protective grace over worlds when adharma becomes fortified (tripura as threefold bondage).
Significance: Meditating on Tripurāntaka is traditionally held to remove inner ‘tripura’—the three impurities (āṇava, karma, māyā) by Śiva’s grace.
Mantra: तव हस्ते मम वधो महाश्रेयस्करो मतः । अंधकारे महेशान त्रिपुरांतक सर्वग
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse expresses śaraṇāgati (complete surrender): even an adversary recognizes that Shiva’s act—though appearing as destruction—can become mahāśreyas, the highest good, because Shiva as Pati cuts the bonds (pāśa) that keep the soul in ignorance (andhakāra).
By invoking names like Maheśāna and Tripurāntaka, the verse approaches Saguna Shiva—Shiva with attributes and liberating actions. In Linga worship, devotees similarly seek the Lord’s grace to destroy inner “Tripura” (the three impurities/bondages) and bring the soul from darkness to clarity.
A practical takeaway is to practice surrender through japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while contemplating Shiva as sarvaga (all-pervading), asking Him to remove andhakāra (inner ignorance) and grant śreyas (spiritual good).