Shloka 37
Ghuśmā–Sudehā: Jealousy, Household Honor, and the Ethics of Śaiva Merit (गुश्मा–सुदेहा प्रसङ्गः)
शिव उवाच । अपकारः कृतस्तस्यामुपकारः कथं त्वया । क्रियते हननीया च सुदेहा दुष्टकारिणी
śiva uvāca | apakāraḥ kṛtastasyāmupakāraḥ kathaṃ tvayā | kriyate hananīyā ca sudehā duṣṭakāriṇī
Śiva said: “She has harmed you—how is it that you now show her kindness? Sudehā is a doer of wicked deeds; she deserves to be slain.”
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse highlights Shiva’s role as the upholder of dharma: compassion must be guided by discernment, and protection of righteousness may require stern action against persistent wrongdoing.
As Saguna Shiva, the Lord is not only the compassionate refuge but also the righteous protector; this verse reflects that balanced divine governance which devotees contemplate in Linga worship—grace aligned with dharma.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a resolve for viveka (discernment), asking Shiva for inner clarity so that one’s compassion and actions remain aligned with dharma.