Shloka 16
भुंज्याद्भुक्ते प्रिये पत्यौ पातिव्रत्यपरायणा । तिष्ठेत्तस्मिंञ्छिवे नारी सर्वथा सति तिष्ठति
bhuṃjyādbhukte priye patyau pātivratyaparāyaṇā | tiṣṭhettasmiṃñchive nārī sarvathā sati tiṣṭhati
A devoted wife, wholly intent on the vow of pativratā, should eat only after her beloved husband has eaten. Established in Śiva present in her husband, the woman abides in the state of Satī in every way—steadfast in virtue and auspiciousness.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana’s teaching as conveyed in the Rudrasaṃhitā to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: nurturing
Offering: naivedya
FAQs
It teaches that household discipline and fidelity (pātivratya) can become a form of Shaiva bhakti when one recognizes Shiva as the indwelling auspicious reality (Śiva-tattva) and lives with steadiness, purity, and self-restraint.
The verse points to Saguna Shiva as present in relational life—honoring the husband as a locus of Shiva’s auspicious presence—while implying the deeper truth that Shiva pervades all; this complements Linga worship by extending reverence from the shrine into daily conduct.
A practical takeaway is daily Shiva-smaraṇa (remembrance of Shiva) during household duties, offering food and actions mentally to Shiva; if one practices, one may pair this with japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” before meals as an inner offering.