सतीविरहानन्तरं शम्भोश्चरितम् / Śiva’s Conduct After Satī’s Separation
आगत्य स्वगिरिं शम्भुः प्रियाविरहकातरः । सस्मार स्वप्रियां देवीं सतीं प्राणाधिकां हृदा
āgatya svagiriṃ śambhuḥ priyāvirahakātaraḥ | sasmāra svapriyāṃ devīṃ satīṃ prāṇādhikāṃ hṛdā
Having returned to His own mountain abode, Śambhu—distressed by separation from His beloved—remembered in His heart His dearest Goddess Satī, who was dearer to Him than life itself.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: nurturing
It shows that even while being the supreme Pati (Lord), Shiva manifests a tender, accessible saguna form: His remembrance of Satī sanctifies viraha (separation) into a force that deepens devotion and inner concentration on the Divine.
The verse highlights Shiva’s personal, relational aspect (saguna) that devotees approach through the Liṅga—an icon that holds both the transcendent (nirguṇa) and immanent (saguṇa) presence—making heartfelt remembrance and love central to worship.
Practice smaraṇa (devout remembrance) with steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—while mentally visualizing Shiva on His mountain abode, letting the heart become focused and purified.