Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
तारकवाक्य-शक्रविष्णुवीरभद्रयुद्धवर्णनम् — Account of Tāraka’s declarations and the battle involving Śakra (Indra), Viṣṇu, and Vīrabhadra
पापं विना स्वकीया स्त्री त्यक्ता पापरतेन यत् । तत्रापि श्रुतिमार्गश्च ध्वंसितस्स्वार्थहेतवे
pāpaṃ vinā svakīyā strī tyaktā pāparatena yat | tatrāpi śrutimārgaśca dhvaṃsitassvārthahetave
Lorsqu’un homme voué au péché abandonne sa propre épouse, bien qu’elle soit sans faute, alors—poussé par l’intérêt égoïste—il détruit aussi la voie védique de la juste conduite.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It warns that adharma in relationships—especially abandoning an innocent spouse out of sinful inclination—does not remain a private fault; it collapses one’s alignment with śruti (Vedic dharma), which Shaiva tradition treats as a necessary foundation for purity, devotion, and eventual liberation through Shiva’s grace.
Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is not mere ritual; it is supported by dharmic living. A mind driven by selfishness and harm to others contradicts the śruti-mārga that sanctifies worship, so the verse implies that devotion to Saguna Shiva should be accompanied by integrity, restraint, and responsibility.
The practical takeaway is self-purification: daily Shiva-smaraṇa with the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), along with repentance, truthful conduct, and non-injury—so that external worship (bhasma, rudrāksha, pūjā) is supported by inner dharma rather than svārtha (self-serving intent).