Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 20
दक्षयज्ञे सत्या अपमानबोधः — Satī Encounters Disrespect at Dakṣa’s Sacrifice
पुरा पंचमुखो भूत्वा गर्वितोऽसि सदाशिवम् । कृतश्चतुर्मुखस्तेन विस्मृतोसि तदद्भुतम्
purā paṃcamukho bhūtvā garvito'si sadāśivam | kṛtaścaturmukhastena vismṛtosi tadadbhutam
قديماً اتخذتَ هيئةً ذاتَ خمسةِ وجوهٍ وتكبّرتَ أمام سَدَاشِيفا. لذلك جعلك ذا أربعةِ وجوهٍ، ومع ذلك نسيتَ ذلك الفعلَ العجيب.
Lord Shiva (Sadāśiva) speaking to Brahma (inferred from Sati Khanda narrative context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga origin; it recalls a mythic correction of Brahmā’s pride: Brahmā’s five-faced arrogance is curtailed by Sadāśiva, restoring cosmic order and right hierarchy.
Significance: Instills humility and right knowledge of īśvara-tattva; pride in creative power (sṛṣṭi) must submit to Sadāśiva’s supremacy and grace.
FAQs
It warns that even exalted beings fall when ego arises; Sadāśiva corrects pride to restore dharma, teaching that liberation in Shaiva Siddhanta comes through surrender to Pati (Shiva), not self-importance.
It underscores Shiva’s supremacy as Sadāśiva, the Lord worshipped as Linga and as Saguna forms; worship is meant to dissolve ahaṅkāra and align the devotee with Shiva’s will rather than inflate status or power.
Practice ego-purification through japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with Tripuṇḍra-bhasma and Rudrākṣa as reminders of humility and devotion to Sadāśiva.