Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 25
वृन्दायाः दुष्स्वप्न-दर्शनं तथा पातिव्रत्य-भङ्गोपक्रमः / Vṛndā’s Ominous Dreams and the Prelude to the Breach of Chastity
वृन्दोवाच । यः पुरा सुखसंवादैर्विनोदयसि मां प्रभो । स कथं न वदस्यद्य वल्लभां मामनागसम्
vṛndovāca | yaḥ purā sukhasaṃvādairvinodayasi māṃ prabho | sa kathaṃ na vadasyadya vallabhāṃ māmanāgasam
Vṛndā said: “O Lord, you who formerly delighted me with sweet and intimate words—how is it that today you do not speak to me, your beloved, though I am without fault?”
Vṛndā
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: Astonishment at reversal of power: the one who defeated devas and even Viṣṇu’s side is now slain by an ascetic—highlighting that divine will can overturn worldly might; the ‘tapasvī’ motif often signals Śiva/Rudra’s supremacy in disguise.
Significance: Cultivates humility: even trailokya-vijaya is unstable under Śiva’s saṃhāra; encourages surrender to Pati rather than pride in power.
FAQs
It portrays the pain of separation and the devotee’s self-examination: Vṛndā asserts her innocence and seeks truthful dialogue, reflecting a bhakti dynamic where silence becomes a trial that purifies attachment and clarifies dharma.
The verse emphasizes a personal (saguṇa) relationship—speaking, intimacy, and reassurance. In Linga worship, devotees similarly approach Śiva as accessible and responsive, offering prayer and expecting inner guidance even when outward answers seem absent.
A practical takeaway is steadfast japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a vow of truthfulness and inner purity, using the silence/absence of response as a cue for deeper self-inquiry and devotion.