Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 8
त्रिपुरमोहनम्
Tripuramohana — “The Delusion/Enchanting of Tripura”
विचार्यमाणे देहेऽस्मिन्न किंचिदधिकं क्वचित् । आहारो मैथुनं निद्रा भयं सर्वत्र यत्समम्
vicāryamāṇe dehe'sminna kiṃcidadhikaṃ kvacit | āhāro maithunaṃ nidrā bhayaṃ sarvatra yatsamam
إذا نُظِرَ في هذا الجسدِ بتبصُّرٍ وتمييز، لم يُوجَدْ فيه في موضعٍ ما هو أسمى. الطعامُ، والاتحادُ الجنسي، والنومُ، والخوفُ—كلُّ ذلك يُرى متساويًا في كلِّ مكانٍ لدى جميعِ ذوي الأجساد.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Purāṇic discourse to the sages, with the verse expressing a reflective teaching within the Yuddhakhaṇḍa narrative)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Significance: Viveka (discernment) regarding bodily sameness weakens dehābhimāna and supports vairāgya, preparing the paśu for Śiva-anugraha.
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches viveka (discernment): the body’s basic drives—eating, sex, sleep, and fear—are universal and therefore not marks of true greatness. Recognizing this supports vairāgya and turns the seeker toward Pati (Śiva), beyond pashu-like compulsions.
By highlighting the body’s sameness and limitations, the verse redirects attention from bodily identity to devotion and surrender. Linga-worship (Saguna Śiva as the sacred sign) becomes a stabilizing focus to transcend instinctive patterns and mature toward Śiva-realization.
A practical takeaway is sense-restraint supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), mindful fasting/regulated diet (especially on Mahāśivarātri), and meditation on the Linga—using discipline to loosen bondage to appetite, lust, lethargy, and fear.