Shloka 25
अनरण्यसुता–पिप्पलादचरितम् / The Episode of Anaraṇya’s Daughter and Sage Pippalāda
धर्म उवाच । मातर्जानीहि मां धर्मं ज्ञानिनाञ्च गुरो र्गुरुम् । परस्त्रीमातृबुद्धिश्च कुव्वर्न्तं सततं सति
dharma uvāca | mātarjānīhi māṃ dharmaṃ jñānināñca guro rgurum | parastrīmātṛbuddhiśca kuvvarntaṃ satataṃ sati
Dharma sprach: „Mutter, erkenne mich als Dharma — den Lehrer der Weisen, den Guru selbst der Gurus. O Tugendhafte, ich verharre stets in der Haltung, die die Gattin eines anderen wie eine Mutter betrachtet.“
Dharma (personified righteousness)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It presents Dharma as a living spiritual authority: true wisdom is inseparable from moral purity, especially mastery over desire through reverent perception of others—supporting inner śuddhi that prepares one for Shiva-bhakti and liberation.
Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is not merely external; it is upheld by inner restraints. Seeing all with purity and restraint stabilizes the mind, making devotion to Saguna Shiva (and contemplation of the Linga) fruitful and grace-bearing.
A practical yama-like discipline is implied: cultivate mātṛ-bhāva (mother-attitude) toward others’ spouses to restrain lust; this supports japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steadiness in vrata observances such as Mahāśivarātri.