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
Śiva sprach: „Weh! Du bist nicht einmal einen Augenblick geblieben. Wie wurde diese Tat der Gewalt vollbracht? Und was soll nun hier getan werden—durch Demut und höfliche Unterwerfung, oder doch wieder auf andere Weise?“
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.