Vṛṣeśākhya-Śivāvatāra and the Initiation of the Kṣīrasāgara-Manthana
Churning of the Milk Ocean
दैत्याः संमोहिता देवैर्विष्णुना च महात्मना । हतावशिष्टाः पातालं विविशुर्विवराणि च
daityāḥ saṃmohitā devairviṣṇunā ca mahātmanā | hatāvaśiṣṭāḥ pātālaṃ viviśurvivarāṇi ca
代底耶众被诸神以及大心的毗湿奴所迷惑;屠戮后幸存者遁入帕塔拉,退藏于地下裂隙与隐秘洞窟之中。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
It shows how adharma collapses through moha (delusion): when divine order asserts itself, the demonic tendency loses clarity and is driven into darkness (Pātāla), symbolizing the soul’s fall when bound by ignorance.
Though Shiva is not named in this specific line, the Śiva Purāṇa frames such victories as the protection of cosmic dharma under Pati (Lord Shiva). Saguna worship (Linga, mantra, and devotion) is presented as the stabilizing refuge that counters moha and fear-driven retreat.
A practical takeaway is to overcome moha through japa and steadiness—especially Panchākṣarī mantra japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—supported by sattvic discipline; this is the inner counterpart to the demons’ outward bewilderment.