Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 48
सती-शिवचरित्रप्रसङ्गः / The Account of Satī and Śiva’s Divine Conduct
Prelude to Detailed Narrative
सीतारूपां सतीं दृष्ट्वा जपन्नाम शिवेति च । विहस्य तत्प्रविज्ञाय नत्वावोचद्रघूद्वहः
sītārūpāṃ satīṃ dṛṣṭvā japannāma śiveti ca | vihasya tatpravijñāya natvāvocadraghūdvahaḥ
Seeing Satī in the form of Sītā, and hearing her softly repeat the name “Śiva,” Rāma—best of the Raghu line—smiled, understood the truth of who she was, bowed to her, and then spoke.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Jyotirlinga: Rāmeśvara
Sthala Purana: Rāma, after recognizing Śiva’s supremacy and seeking expiation/auspiciousness before crossing to Laṅkā, worships Śiva and establishes a liṅga; the place becomes famed as Rāmeśvara.
Significance: Śiva-bhakti joined with Rāma-bhakti; purification and śiva-anugraha, especially for those seeking release from pāśa through devotion.
Mantra: śiveti
Type: panchakshara
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights nāma-japa as a direct mark of devotion to Pati (Śiva) and shows that true discernment recognizes the Divine even when veiled in a different form—prompting humility and reverence.
Though the verse does not mention the Liṅga explicitly, it reflects Saguna devotion: Śiva is approached through name, form, and relationship. The repeated utterance “Śiva” functions like worship—an accessible doorway to the same Supreme Pati worshipped as the Liṅga.
Śiva-nāma japa (repetition of “Śiva,” aligned with the Panchākṣarī spirit of devotion) is implied; the takeaway is steady mantra-repetition with inner recognition and respectful bowing (namaskāra) when the sacred is perceived.