Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 5
दीक्षितपुत्रस्य दैन्यचिन्ता तथा शिवरात्र्युपासनाप्रसङ्गः / The Initiate’s Son in Distress and the Occasion of Śivarātri Worship
याजकस्य कुले जन्म कथं मे व्यसनं महत् । अहो बलीयान्हि विधिर्भाविकर्मानुसंधयेत्
yājakasya kule janma kathaṃ me vyasanaṃ mahat | aho balīyānhi vidhirbhāvikarmānusaṃdhayet
“How has this great calamity come upon me, though I was born in the family of a priestly officiant? Alas—destiny is indeed stronger, for it unfailingly follows and brings to fruition the karma that is yet to ripen.”
Suta Goswami (narrating a character’s lament within the Sṛṣṭikhaṇḍa narrative)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse underscores that social birth or outward religiosity cannot cancel ripening karma; suffering may arise even in a priestly lineage, and liberation ultimately depends on inner alignment with dharma and Shiva’s grace rather than mere status.
By acknowledging karma’s force, the text implicitly points toward refuge in Saguna Shiva (Linga-worship, bhakti, and surrender), through which karmic burdens are purified and the devotee gains steadiness to endure prarabdha while moving toward moksha.
A practical takeaway is to intensify Shiva-upasana—japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with humility and repentance—seeking purification of karma and clarity to face destiny without falling into despair.