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
«Por tu tapas (austeridad), he establecido en el mundo tu justa norma—para que los seres encarnados, apenas nacidos, no queden de inmediato arrastrados por el deseo.»
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.