Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 17
गिरिजातपः-परीक्षा तथा सप्तर्षि-आह्वानम्
Girijā’s Austerity-Test and the Summoning of the Seven Sages
सर्वथा छलसंयुक्तं वचनीयं वचश्च वः । न संशयः प्रकर्तव्यश्शासनान्मम सुव्रताः
sarvathā chalasaṃyuktaṃ vacanīyaṃ vacaśca vaḥ | na saṃśayaḥ prakartavyaśśāsanānmama suvratāḥ
في كل حالٍ يجب أن تنطقوا بكلماتٍ مقرونةٍ بحكمةٍ وتدبيرٍ رصين، وأن تقولوا حقًّا على ذلك النحو. وبأمري، يا أصحاب النذور النبيلة، لا مجال للشك ولا للتردد.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Tatpuruṣa
Sthala Purana: No Jyotirliṅga linkage; the verse explains the ‘method’ of the test—speech with strategic tact (chala) under divine ordinance.
Significance: Teaches sādhaka-dharma: when the Lord’s will operates through circumstances and teachers, one should not waver; apparent obstacles can be tirodhāna that matures discernment and devotion.
FAQs
The verse teaches śaraṇāgati (surrender) to Pati—Lord Shiva—by abandoning inner doubt and aligning one’s speech and conduct with divine instruction, a key Shaiva discipline for purification and steadiness on the path to liberation.
In Saguna Shiva worship (including Linga pūjā), the devotee follows Shiva’s injunctions with faith and disciplined restraint; this verse emphasizes unwavering adherence to Shiva’s śāsana, which supports focused devotion and reduces mental wavering during worship.
The practical takeaway is to practice disciplined speech (mauna/controlled vāṇī) and doubtless japa—especially steady repetition of the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—with firm intent, avoiding hesitation in one’s vowed observances.