Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 12
Anasūyā–Atri Tapas-Varṇana
Description of Anasūyā and Atri’s Austerities
संवर्तं चैव भूतानां दृष्ट्वात्रि गृहिणी प्रिया । साध्वी चैवाब्रवीदत्रिं मया दुःखं न सह्यते
saṃvartaṃ caiva bhūtānāṃ dṛṣṭvātri gṛhiṇī priyā | sādhvī caivābravīdatriṃ mayā duḥkhaṃ na sahyate
ભૂતો પર સંવર્ત અને પ્રલય સમાન આપત્તિ જોઈ અત્રિની પ્રિય ગૃહિણી, તે સાધ્વી, અત્રિ મુનિને બોલી—“આ દુઃખ હું સહન કરી શકતી નથી.”
Atri’s wife (Anasūyā), as narrated in the Shiva Purana’s Kotirudra Saṃhitā discourse (Suta Goswami’s narration to the sages implied).
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
Cosmic Event: saṃvarta (cosmic upheaval/dissolution-conditions) affecting beings
FAQs
The verse highlights the shock of witnessing saṃvarta—suffering and impermanence in the world—prompting a sincere turning inward toward refuge in Pati (Lord Shiva) beyond samsaric pain, a key Shaiva framing for vairagya (dispassion) and seeking grace.
By acknowledging unbearable worldly sorrow, the narrative sets the emotional and theological ground for seeking Saguna Shiva’s compassionate protection through Linga-worship—approaching Shiva as the accessible Lord who steadies the devotee amid dissolution and fear.
A practical takeaway is to respond to distress with Shiva-smarana and japa—especially the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—and, where appropriate, simple Linga-puja with water and bilva leaves as a stabilizing bhakti practice.