Shiva Purana — Satarudra Samhita, Shloka 13
अवधूतेश्वरलीला (Avadhūteśvara-līlā) — Śiva Tests Indra’s Pride on the Way to Kailāsa
इत्थं पुनः पुनः पृष्टः शक्रेण स दिगम्बरः । नोवाच किंचिद्भगवाञ्शक्रदर्प्पजिघांसया
itthaṃ punaḥ punaḥ pṛṣṭaḥ śakreṇa sa digambaraḥ | novāca kiṃcidbhagavāñśakradarppajighāṃsayā
Así, aunque fue interrogado una y otra vez por Indra, aquel Señor vestido de cielo no dijo nada, con la intención de someter y destruir el orgullo de Indra.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shatarudra Samhita account to the sages)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; Śiva’s deliberate non-response functions as a ‘pride-destruction’ prelude—veiling (tirodhāna) that precipitates transformation.
Role: teaching
FAQs
Shiva’s deliberate silence teaches that spiritual authority is not compelled by worldly power; the Lord removes darpa (ego) as a form of grace, because pride is a key pasha (bond) obstructing moksha.
The verse highlights Saguna Shiva’s leela as the compassionate Lord who corrects the devotee’s or deity’s arrogance. In Linga-worship, this becomes a practical lesson: approach Shiva with humility and surrender, not entitlement or status.
Practice mauna (sacred restraint of speech) with japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offering the fruit of practice to Shiva to dissolve ego; cultivate humility alongside Shaiva disciplines like vibhuti (tripundra) and rudraksha as reminders of renunciation.