Shloka 23
अनरण्यसुता–पिप्पलादचरितम् / The Episode of Anaraṇya’s Daughter and Sage Pippalāda
मातरं मां स्त्रियो भावं कृत्वा येन ब्रवीषि ह । भविष्यति क्षयस्तेन कालेन मम शापतः
mātaraṃ māṃ striyo bhāvaṃ kṛtvā yena bravīṣi ha | bhaviṣyati kṣayastena kālena mama śāpataḥ
„Weil du mich anredetest, als hättest du mich in den Zustand einer Frau versetzt, und mich ‚Mutter‘ nanntest, wirst du kraft meines Fluches zur rechten Zeit Verfall und Verderben erleiden.“
Parvati
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse stresses that speech and attitude toward the Divine (and the Devī) are karmically potent; a lapse in reverence brings kṣaya (decline) through kāla, showing that dharma includes disciplined, humble address.
In Śaiva practice, Saguna worship includes honoring Shiva together with Śakti; disrespect toward the Devī undermines devotion (bhakti) and purity (śuddhi) needed for effective Linga-worship and grace.
A practical takeaway is vāg-saṃyama (restraint of speech) along with japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to purify intention and maintain reverence in worship.