Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 44
संध्याचरित्रवर्णनम् (Sandhyā-caritra-varṇanam) — “Narration of Sandhyā’s Austerity and Encounter with Śiva”
तपसा तव मर्यादा जगति स्थापिता मया । उत्पन्नमात्रा न यथा सकामास्स्युश्शरीरिणः
tapasā tava maryādā jagati sthāpitā mayā | utpannamātrā na yathā sakāmāssyuśśarīriṇaḥ
“By your austerity (tapas), I have established your rightful ordinance in the world—so that embodied beings, the moment they are born, may not at once become driven by desire.”
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse teaches that Shiva upholds cosmic order (maryādā) through tapas, ensuring that embodied souls are not immediately overwhelmed by kama; it points to the Shaiva Siddhanta ideal of disciplining desire so the soul can turn toward Shiva and liberation.
Worship of the Linga as Saguna Shiva is a training in maryādā—regular pūjā, mantra, and restraint—so the devotee’s embodied life is purified and desire is subordinated to devotion and dharma.
A practical takeaway is tapas in daily form: Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), observance of vrata (especially on Mahāśivarātri), and disciplined conduct that reduces kama and strengthens vairāgya.