Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 48
दक्षस्य विष्णुं प्रति शरणागतिḥ — Dakṣa’s Appeal to Viṣṇu and the Teaching on Disrespect to Śiva
गन्तुमेवाहमुद्युक्तं सर्वथा शपथोत्तरम् । तथापि न गतश्शीघ्रं दुष्टसंसर्गपापतः
gantumevāhamudyuktaṃ sarvathā śapathottaram | tathāpi na gataśśīghraṃ duṣṭasaṃsargapāpataḥ
«J’étais bien décidé à partir, après avoir prêté serment sans réserve. Pourtant je ne suis pas parti promptement, à cause du péché qui naît de la fréquentation des méchants.»
Satī (as narrated in the Rudrasaṃhitā dialogue, traditionally relayed by Sūta to the sages)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It teaches that even a firm vow can be weakened by duṣṭa-saṃsarga (harmful company), because such association generates pāpa (binding karma) that obstructs right action and inner clarity—an ethical foundation aligned with Shaiva dharma.
Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is sustained by purity of conduct and satsanga; avoiding corrupting influences protects bhakti and steadiness of mind, making one fit for Saguna Shiva’s grace and the discipline of Shiva-upāsanā.
Choose satsanga and steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to counteract negative saṅga; maintain śauca (purity) and a Shaiva daily discipline (e.g., bhasma-dhāraṇa and mindful conduct) so vows are fulfilled without delay.