Shloka 23
अनरण्यसुता–पिप्पलादचरितम् / The Episode of Anaraṇya’s Daughter and Sage Pippalāda
मातरं मां स्त्रियो भावं कृत्वा येन ब्रवीषि ह । भविष्यति क्षयस्तेन कालेन मम शापतः
mātaraṃ māṃ striyo bhāvaṃ kṛtvā yena bravīṣi ha | bhaviṣyati kṣayastena kālena mama śāpataḥ
“Since you addressed me by calling me ‘mother’, as though making me assume the condition of a woman, by my curse, in due time you shall meet with decline and ruin.”
Parvati
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
FAQs
The verse stresses that speech and attitude toward the Divine (and the Devī) are karmically potent; a lapse in reverence brings kṣaya (decline) through kāla, showing that dharma includes disciplined, humble address.
In Śaiva practice, Saguna worship includes honoring Shiva together with Śakti; disrespect toward the Devī undermines devotion (bhakti) and purity (śuddhi) needed for effective Linga-worship and grace.
A practical takeaway is vāg-saṃyama (restraint of speech) along with japa of the Panchākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to purify intention and maintain reverence in worship.