Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 20
राहोः शिरच्छेदन-कारणकथनम् / The Account of Rāhu’s Beheading
Cause and Background
अथ दूतं समाहूय घस्मराभिधमुत्तमम् । सर्वं शशंस चरितं यदाह गुरुरात्मवान्
atha dūtaṃ samāhūya ghasmarābhidhamuttamam | sarvaṃ śaśaṃsa caritaṃ yadāha gururātmavān
Entonces, tras convocar al excelente mensajero llamado Ghasmara, le refirió por completo el curso entero de los hechos, tal como se lo había indicado su sabio y sereno gurú.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights guru-vākya (the authority of the teacher’s word) and disciplined communication—acting without ego, faithfully conveying what is true, which aligns the individual will with dharma under Śiva’s cosmic order.
Though the verse is narrative, it supports Saguna Śiva-oriented devotion by emphasizing obedience, humility, and right conduct—qualities essential for ritual worship and for receiving Śiva’s grace through proper guidance.
A practical takeaway is to begin worship or japa after receiving and following guru-instruction—e.g., steady Panchākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with disciplined speech (satya) and composure (ātma-vaśyatā).