Shloka 26
उपमन्यूपदेशः
Upamanyu’s Instruction
तत्प्रभावाद्व्रते तस्मिन्नेको द्विजसुतः पुरा । कश्चित्स्त्रीत्वं गतो लोभात्कृतदाराकृतिश्छलात्
tatprabhāvādvrate tasminneko dvijasutaḥ purā | kaścitstrītvaṃ gato lobhātkṛtadārākṛtiśchalāt
By the power of that observance (vrata), long ago a certain son of a brāhmaṇa—out of greed—came to assume a woman’s state, through deceit by taking on the guise of a wife.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It highlights that a vrata has real potency, but when driven by lobha (greed) and chala (deceit), its fruits can manifest as binding, identity-altering karmic consequences rather than liberating merit—underscoring Shaiva ethics of purity of intention.
Vratas in the Shiva Purana are typically performed as offerings to Saguna Shiva (often through Linga-worship). The verse warns that external observance without truthful dharma and right bhāva can still produce powerful results, yet not necessarily spiritual upliftment.
The implied takeaway is to perform Shiva-vratas with sattvic intent—supporting them with honest conduct, mantra-japa (e.g., the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and disciplined self-restraint, avoiding greed-driven motivations.