Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 23
सर्गविभागवर्णनम्
Classification of Creation: the Nine Sargas and the Streams of Beings
ततो दीर्घेण कालेन दुःखात्क्रोधो व्यजायत । क्रोधाविष्टस्य नेत्राभ्यां प्रापतन्नश्रुबिन्दवः । ततस्तेभ्यो ऽश्रुबिन्दुभ्यो भूताः प्रेतास्तदाभवन् । सर्वांस्तानश्रुजान्दृष्ट्वा ब्रह्मात्मानमनिंदत
tato dīrgheṇa kālena duḥkhātkrodho vyajāyata | krodhāviṣṭasya netrābhyāṃ prāpatannaśrubindavaḥ | tatastebhyo 'śrubindubhyo bhūtāḥ pretāstadābhavan | sarvāṃstānaśrujāndṛṣṭvā brahmātmānamaniṃdata
Dann, nach langer Zeit, entstand aus dem Kummer Zorn. Als ihn der Zorn ergriff, fielen Tränentropfen aus seinen Augen. Aus jenen Tränen entstanden sogleich Wesen als Bhūtas und Pretas. Als Brahmā all die aus Tränen Geborenen sah, tadelte er sich selbst.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse links unchecked duḥkha (sorrow) and krodha (anger) to the manifestation of lower, restless states (bhūtas and pretas), illustrating how mental afflictions become forms of pāśa (bondage). It implies that purification of emotion through Shaiva discipline is essential for moving toward Shiva (Pati) and freedom.
Bhūtas and pretas are traditionally associated with disturbed, tamasic conditions; Linga-worship centers the mind in Saguna Shiva as the stabilizing refuge. By turning to Shiva through pūjā, japa, and dhyāna, the devotee transforms grief and anger into devotion and clarity, loosening pāśa.
A practical takeaway is to pacify krodha through Panchakshara japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), along with bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and steady dhyāna on the Linga; these are Shaiva means to purify the inner causes that breed unrest and fear.