Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 16
कार्त्तिकेयान्वेषण-नन्दिसंवाद-वर्णनम्
Search for Kārttikeya and the Nandī Dialogue
देवपत्न्य ऊचुः । या निदति स्वभर्तारं परं गच्छति पूरुषम् । मातृबन्धुविहीना च त्वद्वीर्यं निह्नुतं यया
devapatnya ūcuḥ | yā nidati svabhartāraṃ paraṃ gacchati pūruṣam | mātṛbandhuvihīnā ca tvadvīryaṃ nihnutaṃ yayā
Die Gemahlinnen der Götter sprachen: „Jene, die den eigenen Gatten schmäht und einem anderen Manne nachgeht, der Mutter und Verwandtschaft beraubt, und durch die deine Manneskraft (vīrya) verborgen wurde—sprich über sie und tadle solches Verhalten.“
Devapatnīs (wives of the Devas)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse frames adharma—reviling one’s rightful partner and pursuing another—as a cause of moral and spiritual bondage (pāśa). In a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, such conduct strengthens impurity and attachment, obstructing the soul’s movement toward Shiva (Pati) and right order (dharma).
While not naming the Liṅga directly, it supports the ethical foundation required for effective Saguna Shiva worship: purity of conduct, truthfulness, and restraint. In Purāṇic Shaiva practice, devotion to Shiva is meant to refine character; dharmic living becomes a support for liṅga-pūjā and inner worship.
The implied takeaway is self-restraint and purification: regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a vow of truthful, dharmic conduct. If seeking a concrete practice, combine japa with simple śiva-pūjā (water offering) and a resolve to abandon slander and disloyalty.