Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 35
मन्दरगिरिवर्णनम् — Description of Mount Mandara as Śiva’s Residence
Tapas-abode
स्वात्मारामस्य भवतो रतिर्न सुखसाधनम् । इति हेतोः स्मरो यस्मात्प्रसभं भस्मसात्कृतः
svātmārāmasya bhavato ratirna sukhasādhanam | iti hetoḥ smaro yasmātprasabhaṃ bhasmasātkṛtaḥ
«Pour Toi qui demeures dans la béatitude du Soi, la passion n’est pas un moyen de bonheur. C’est pour cette raison même que Kāma (Smara) fut par Toi réduit en cendres.»
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana discourse in the Vayu Samhita context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Alludes to the Kāma-dahana episode: Kāma attempts to disturb Śiva’s tapas; Śiva’s third eye burns him to ashes, restoring cosmic order and demonstrating Śiva’s transcendence of binding desire.
Significance: Meditation on Kāma-dahana is taken as a teaching on vairāgya and mastery of senses; inspires inner restraint and devotion to Śiva as the giver of liberation.
Type: stotra
FAQs
It teaches that Shiva, as Svātmārāma (Self-established bliss), is beyond desire; true sukha arises from inner realization and grace, not from rati, pointing the soul toward vairāgya and moksha.
In Linga worship, devotees approach Saguna Shiva as the purifier of passions; meditating on Shiva’s burning of Kāma symbolizes the dissolution of pasha (bondage) so the devotee may abide in Shiva-consciousness.
Practice desire-control through japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steady dhyāna on Shiva as inner Self; cultivate vairāgya, and if following Shaiva ritual, wear Tripuṇḍra-bhasma as a reminder of burning impurities.