Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 39
तुलसी-शङ्खचूडोपाख्यानम् — Viṣṇu’s Disguise and the Tulasī Episode
Prelude to Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Fall
शोकाकुलं हरिं दृष्ट्वा विलपंतीं च तत्प्रियाम् । नयेन बोधयामास तं तां कृपणवत्सलाम्
śokākulaṃ hariṃ dṛṣṭvā vilapaṃtīṃ ca tatpriyām | nayena bodhayāmāsa taṃ tāṃ kṛpaṇavatsalām
Als Er Hari sah, vom Kummer überwältigt, und dessen Geliebte klagend, belehrte Er — der Mitleidvolle, den Bedrängten zugewandt — beide mit klugen und sanften Worten.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse highlights a Shaiva ethic: in times of grief, divine wisdom (naya) and compassion stabilize the mind, turning sorrow into discernment and renewed dharma—qualities that ultimately support liberation-oriented living.
Though the verse is narrative, its teaching aligns with Saguna Shiva devotion: the devotee approaches Shiva as the compassionate refuge who consoles and restores inner order; Linga-worship similarly centers the mind when emotions surge.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) during grief, optionally with Rudraksha, to regain clarity and receive Shiva’s grace as inner counsel.