Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 42
द्वारपाल-गणेशसंवादः / The Dialogue at the Gate: Gaṇeśa and Śiva’s Gaṇas
शिवोवाच । अहो क्षणं स्थितो नैव हठात्कारः कथं कृतः । कथं चैवात्र कर्त्तव्यं विनयेनाथ वा पुनः
śivovāca | aho kṣaṇaṃ sthito naiva haṭhātkāraḥ kathaṃ kṛtaḥ | kathaṃ caivātra karttavyaṃ vinayenātha vā punaḥ
শিব বললেন—“হায়! তুমি এক মুহূর্তও স্থির থাকলে না। এই জোরজবরদস্তি কাজ কীভাবে করা হল? আর এখন এখানে কী করণীয়—বিনয় ও নম্র প্রার্থনায়, না কি আবার অন্যভাবে?”
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse highlights Shiva’s preference for dharmic conduct: even when power is available, the higher Shaiva ideal is restraint and विनय (humility), aligning the soul (paśu) with Shiva’s grace (pati) rather than ego-driven compulsion.
In Saguna Shiva worship, the devotee approaches the Linga with reverence, patience, and submission—not force. This verse frames the correct devotional mood: विनय, which makes the heart fit to receive Shiva’s anugraha (grace).
The practical takeaway is to perform japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a humble, non-coercive mind, and to approach any vow or vrata (including Mahāśivarātri observance) through reverence, apology, and gentle self-discipline rather than harshness.