Shloka 6
कामदाहोत्तरवृत्तान्तः / Aftermath of Kāma’s Burning
Pārvatī’s Fear and Himavān’s Consolation
तेन शब्देन महता कामं दग्धं समीक्ष्य च । सखीभ्यां सह भीता सा ययौ स्वगृहमाकुला
tena śabdena mahatā kāmaṃ dagdhaṃ samīkṣya ca | sakhībhyāṃ saha bhītā sā yayau svagṛhamākulā
Startled by that mighty sound, she beheld Kāma burnt to ashes; and, frightened, she departed with her two companions, returning to her own home in agitation.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: Immediate aftermath of Kāma-dahana signaled by the sky-filling sound
FAQs
The verse highlights that uncontrolled kāma (desire) is powerless before Śiva’s tapas and inner sovereignty; witnessing Kāma’s burning teaches vairāgya—desire must be purified and offered into devotion for liberation.
Kāma’s destruction underscores Śiva as the supreme Pati who dissolves bondage (pāśa). In Liṅga/Saguṇa worship, the devotee approaches Śiva as the purifying Lord who burns mental agitation and transforms passion into bhakti.
A practical takeaway is to steady the mind with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and cultivate tapas through restraint; on Mahāśivarātri, liṅga-abhiṣeka with reverent focus supports conquering restlessness and desire.