Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 17
शङ्खचूडकृततपः—ब्रह्मवरकवचप्राप्तिः / Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Austerity—Brahmā’s Boon and the Bestowal of the Kavaca
नारीजातिर्मोहिनी च ब्रह्मादीनां विषोपमा । निन्द्या दोषकरी माया शृंखला ह्यनुशायिनाम्
nārījātirmohinī ca brahmādīnāṃ viṣopamā | nindyā doṣakarī māyā śṛṃkhalā hyanuśāyinām
La gent féminine est illusoire même pour Brahmā et les autres dieux — comme un poison dans son effet. Elle est blâmable, cause de fautes ; une manifestation de la māyā, et en vérité une chaîne pour ceux qui restent liés aux passions latentes.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Shakti Form: Kālī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It warns that māyā can captivate even exalted beings, and that bondage persists through anuśayas (latent cravings). From a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, liberation comes by turning from delusion (pāśa) toward Pati (Śiva) through discernment and disciplined devotion.
The verse functions as a call to detach from sense-driven fascination and to steady the mind in Saguna Śiva worship—Linga-pūjā, mantra-japa, and reverence—so consciousness moves from māyā’s pull toward Śiva’s grace and purity.
Practice Panchākṣarī japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with restraint of the senses, supported by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of dispassion and Śiva-centered awareness, especially on Mahāśivarātri.