Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 11
सती-शिवचरित्रप्रसङ्गः / The Account of Satī and Śiva’s Divine Conduct
Prelude to Detailed Narrative
किमर्थं शंकरो जायां तत्याज प्राणतः प्रियाम् । तस्मादाचक्ष्व मे तात विचित्रमिति मन्महे
kimarthaṃ śaṃkaro jāyāṃ tatyāja prāṇataḥ priyām | tasmādācakṣva me tāta vicitramiti manmahe
«لأي سببٍ ترك شانكرا زوجته، وهي أحبّ إليه من حياته؟ لذلك يا أبتِ الكريم، بيّن لي الأمر؛ فإنّا نعدّه شأنًا عجيبًا».
Nārada (inquiring of Brahmā)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse highlights that Śiva’s actions, though appearing humanly puzzling, are divine līlā—meant to reveal dharma and vairāgya, and to guide beings toward liberation rather than mere worldly attachment.
It frames Śiva as both saguna (acting within narrative and relationship) and ultimately beyond attachment; Linga-worship points to that transcendent reality even while devotees relate to Śiva personally as Śaṅkara.
A practical takeaway is to contemplate Śiva’s detachment while chanting the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to cultivate inner dispassion and steadiness in devotion.