Shloka 23
कामप्रहारः — The Subduing of Kāma (Desire) / Kāma’s Assault and Its Futility
हा हा नाथ स्मर स्वामिन्प्राणप्रिय सुखप्रद । इदं तु किमभूदत्र हा हा प्रिय प्रियेति च
hā hā nātha smara svāminprāṇapriya sukhaprada | idaṃ tu kimabhūdatra hā hā priya priyeti ca
“Alas, alas—O Lord, Smara, my master and husband, beloved of my very life, bestower of joy—what has happened here? ‘Alas, alas, my beloved!’” she cried again and again.
Suta Goswami (narrating the episode; the quoted lament is of Parvati)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: No jyotirliṅga setting; this is Rati’s direct lament to Smara (Kāma) after his destruction.
Significance: Used in kathā to show the poignancy of saṃsāra: even divine beings suffer when bound by attachment; prompts turning from kāma to bhakti.
Mantra: hā hā nātha smara svāmin prāṇapriya sukhaprada | idaṃ tu kim abhūd atra hā hā priya priye ti ca
Type: stotra
FAQs
It shows bhakti in separation (viraha): the devotee calls Shiva “prāṇapriya” and seeks refuge through remembrance, illustrating that heartfelt smaraṇa of Pati (Shiva) is itself a purifying path toward grace.
The address to Shiva as “Nātha” and “Svāmin” reflects Saguna devotion—relating to Shiva as the personal Lord. In Shiva Purana practice, such longing is naturally expressed through Linga-worship, mantra-japa, and offering the mind back to Shiva as the indwelling Lord.
Smaraṇa and japa: repeating Shiva’s name/mantra (especially the pañcākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with single-pointed yearning, supported by simple Linga-pūjā with water and bhasma as an aid to steadiness.