Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 37
शिवविहारवर्णनम् (Śivavihāra-varṇana) — “Description of Śiva’s Divine Pastimes/Sojourn”
भ्रष्टः स्त्रीपुत्रराज्येभ्यो विश्वामित्रेण ताडितः । ततश्शिवं समाराध्य मुक्तो भूतो हि कश्मलात्
bhraṣṭaḥ strīputrarājyebhyo viśvāmitreṇa tāḍitaḥ | tataśśivaṃ samārādhya mukto bhūto hi kaśmalāt
Privé d’épouse, de fils et de royaume, et châtié par Viśvāmitra, il adora alors le Seigneur Śiva avec une dévotion entière ; et, en vérité, il fut délivré de la souillure du lourd péché et de l’illusion.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: General Purāṇic motif: even one fallen through loss and humiliation becomes purified by Śiva-upāsanā; the verse frames Śiva as the decisive refuge when dharma and worldly supports collapse.
Significance: Emphasizes Śiva-bhakti as a purifier of kaśmala (moral stain/delusion), encouraging pilgrimage/temple-worship as a means to regain dharma and inner clarity.
Type: stotra
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that even after severe downfall and suffering, sincere turning to Pati—Lord Shiva—through worship can remove kashmala (sinful impurity and deluded bondage) and restore the soul toward liberation.
The verse emphasizes practical propitiation (samārādhana) of Shiva—typically done through Saguna worship such as Shiva-linga puja, mantra-japa, and offerings—by which Shiva’s grace dissolves the devotee’s accumulated stain and suffering.
Repentant Shiva-upasana: regular japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), together with simple Shiva-puja (water, bilva leaves) and a vow of restraint, as a means to be freed from kashmala.