Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 44
विष्णोः स्तुतिः—शिवसतीरक्षावचनम्
Viṣṇu’s Hymn and the Petition for Śiva–Satī’s Protection
सतीं यस्याभिलाषस्सन् वीक्षेत वध तं प्रभो । इति विष्णुवचस्सत्यं विधिं हत्वा करोम्यहम्
satīṃ yasyābhilāṣassan vīkṣeta vadha taṃ prabho | iti viṣṇuvacassatyaṃ vidhiṃ hatvā karomyaham
"Ô Seigneur, quiconque, rempli de désir pour Sati, poserait même le regard sur elle — tuez celui-là. Ainsi, prenant les paroles de Vishnu pour vraies, je tuerai Vidhī (Brahma) et j'exécuterai cela."
Virabhadra (as Shiva’s fierce emissary), declaring his resolve to fulfill the divine command in the Satī narrative
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse frames desire-driven gazing at Satī as a grave moral transgression and presents divine justice as protective of dharma—especially the sanctity of the Divine Mother—showing that uncontrolled kāma leads to downfall while dharma is upheld by Shiva’s power.
It highlights Saguna Shiva’s role as the active protector of cosmic order: the devotee worships Shiva not only as the transcendent Pati but also as the immanent Lord who curbs adharma and safeguards purity—an ethic that undergirds reverent Linga worship.
The practical takeaway is sense-restraint (indriya-nigraha) supported by japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” along with cultivating purity of gaze and intention—core disciplines for Shaiva sādhana.