Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 6
हिरण्यनेत्रस्य तपः — Hiraṇyanetra’s Austerity and the Boon
प्रजाल्य वह्निं स्म जुहोति गात्रमांसं सरक्तं खलु वर्षमात्रम् । तीक्ष्णेन शस्त्रेण निकृत्य देहात्समंत्रकं प्रत्यहमेव हुत्वा
prajālya vahniṃ sma juhoti gātramāṃsaṃ saraktaṃ khalu varṣamātram | tīkṣṇena śastreṇa nikṛtya dehātsamaṃtrakaṃ pratyahameva hutvā
Nachdem er das Feuer entzündet hatte, opferte er ein ganzes Jahr lang das Fleisch seiner eigenen Glieder zusammen mit Blut hinein. Er schnitt es mit einer scharfen Waffe von seinem Körper ab und brachte jeden Tag das Opfer dar, begleitet von Mantras.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It highlights the intensity of tapas performed with unwavering resolve and mantra, pointing to the Shaiva idea that true offering is the surrender of the limited self (ego and impurities) into the fire of devotion to Pati (Shiva).
The verse emphasizes mantra-led daily offering; in Saguna Shiva/Linga worship, the devotee’s regularity (nitya-kriyā), mantra, and inner consecration are central—external acts are meaningful only when directed to Shiva with devotion and right intent.
Daily mantra-recitation with a disciplined offering practice (homa or inner homa), best interpreted as offering one’s passions and impurities into Shiva’s fire through japa (e.g., Panchakshara) and steady worship, rather than literal self-injury.