Shloka 22
मित्रसह-राज्ञो रक्षत्व-शापकथा — The Curse that Turns King Mitrasaha into a Rakshasa
Vasiṣṭha’s Śāpa Narrative
अथ साध्वी च सा दीना विलप्य भृशदुःखिता । आहृत्य भर्तुरस्थीनि चितां चक्रे किलोल्बणाम्
atha sādhvī ca sā dīnā vilapya bhṛśaduḥkhitā | āhṛtya bharturasthīni citāṃ cakre kilolbaṇām
Da klagte jene tugendhafte Frau, verlassen und von tiefem Schmerz überwältigt; sie sammelte die Gebeine ihres Gatten und, so heißt es, errichtete einen großen, ehrfurchtgebietenden Scheiterhaufen.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: destructive
FAQs
The verse highlights duḥkha (sorrow) and anitya-bhāva (impermanence) as catalysts for vairāgya and surrender; in Shaiva Siddhanta, such turning points can redirect the bound soul (paśu) from worldly attachment toward refuge in Pati—Lord Shiva.
By confronting death and loss, the mind seeks an enduring support; the Purana’s Jyotirlinga context frames Saguna Shiva (worshiped as the Linga) as the compassionate, stable locus for remembrance and devotion when worldly supports collapse.
A practical takeaway is to combine śiva-smaraṇa with japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—especially during rites connected with loss, cultivating detachment and seeking Shiva’s grace for peace and upliftment.