Shloka 50
सती-शिवचरित्रप्रसङ्गः / The Account of Satī and Śiva’s Divine Conduct
Prelude to Detailed Narrative
त्यक्त्वा स्वरूपं कस्मात्ते धृतं रूपमिदं सति । ब्रूहि तत्कारणं देवि कृपां कृत्वा ममोपरि
tyaktvā svarūpaṃ kasmātte dhṛtaṃ rūpamidaṃ sati | brūhi tatkāraṇaṃ devi kṛpāṃ kṛtvā mamopari
O Satī, warum hast du deine wahre Gestalt beiseitegelegt und diese Form angenommen? O Göttin, aus Mitgefühl für mich, sage mir den Grund dafür.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta insight that the Divine may veil or reveal forms out of grace (anugraha) for a higher purpose; Shiva’s question points to discerning the cause behind Shakti’s manifested appearance rather than clinging to mere outer form.
The verse underscores that form (saguna) is consciously assumed for the devotee’s benefit; likewise, Linga worship is a compassionate, accessible support for devotion and contemplation, guiding the mind from visible symbol to the deeper reality of Shiva.
A practical takeaway is to meditate on Shiva-Shakti with the Panchākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), contemplating the inner svarūpa beyond changing appearances, while maintaining bhakti with simple offerings such as bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and japa.