Shloka 42
भूतत्रिपुरधर्मवर्णनम् (Description of the Dharma/Conduct of the Bhūta-Tripura) — Chapter 3
कृत्वा तु सुमहत्पापं रुद्रमभ्यर्चयंति ते । मुच्यंते पातकैः सर्वैः पद्मपत्रमिवांभसा
kṛtvā tu sumahatpāpaṃ rudramabhyarcayaṃti te | mucyaṃte pātakaiḥ sarvaiḥ padmapatramivāṃbhasā
Even those who have committed very great sins—if they worship Rudra—are released from all faults, just as a lotus leaf remains untouched by water.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: General doctrine of Rudra-bhakti: even mahāpātaka is ‘washed off’ by sincere Rudra-arcana, like water failing to cling to a lotus leaf—an image for karma’s non-adherence under grace.
Significance: Establishes Rudra-worship as a purifier (pāpa-kṣaya) and a gateway to higher Śaiva discipline; encourages turning from pāśa (karma) toward Pati through bhakti and arcana.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It declares Rudra’s anugraha (grace): sincere worship turns the devotee away from pāpa and loosens karmic bondage, so the soul becomes “untouched” by impurity—like water on a lotus leaf.
Rudra is approached as Saguna Shiva—worshiped with form, name, and offerings (often through the Shiva Linga). Through such concrete devotion, the Lord purifies the devotee and lifts the burden of sins.
Regular Rudra-archana (Linga worship) with mantra-japa—especially the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—supported by simple purity disciplines (bhasma/Tripuṇḍra and Rudrāksha where appropriate) as an act of repentance and devotion.