Shloka 20
Anasūyā–Atri Tapas-Varṇana
Description of Anasūyā and Atri’s Austerities
चकार सुचरित्रा सानसूया मुनिकामिनी । दैत्याश्च दानवाः सर्वे दृष्ट्वा तु सुन्दरीं तदा
cakāra sucaritrā sānasūyā munikāminī | daityāśca dānavāḥ sarve dṛṣṭvā tu sundarīṃ tadā
Then the virtuous Anasūyā—beloved of the sage and famed for her noble conduct—acted accordingly. At that time, all the Daityas and Dānavas, on seeing that beautiful lady, became stirred in mind.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Role: destructive
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva ethical ideal that inner purity and noble conduct (sucaritra) protect spiritual power, while uncontrolled desire disturbs the mind—an obstacle to Shiva-bhakti and steadiness in dharma.
Linga worship in the Shiva Purana is upheld by purity, restraint, and reverence; the verse contrasts the steadiness of a dharmic devotee with the agitation of demonic tendencies, implying that Saguna Shiva is approached through disciplined conduct and devotion.
Sense-restraint and purity as daily discipline: mentally repeat the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to steady the mind, and maintain sattvic conduct as preparation for Shiva-puja (with bhasma and rudraksha where prescribed).