Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 15
हिरण्यनेत्रस्य तपः — Hiraṇyanetra’s Austerity and the Boon
अंधक उवाच । कालत्रये याश्च भवंति नार्यः श्रेष्ठाश्च मध्याश्च तथा कनिष्ठाः । तासां च मध्ये खलु रत्नभूता ममापि नित्यं जननीव काचित्
aṃdhaka uvāca | kālatraye yāśca bhavaṃti nāryaḥ śreṣṭhāśca madhyāśca tathā kaniṣṭhāḥ | tāsāṃ ca madhye khalu ratnabhūtā mamāpi nityaṃ jananīva kācit
અંધકે કહ્યું— ત્રિકાળમાં રહેલી સ્ત્રીઓમાં—શ્રેષ્ઠ, મધ્યમ અને કનિષ્ઠ—તેમના મધ્યે એક રત્નસમાન સ્ત્રી છે, જે સદા મને માતા સમાન છે.
Andhaka
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse highlights discernment (viveka) and reverence: even amid worldly classifications, one should recognize and honor a truly virtuous, “jewel-like” presence—here expressed as a mother-like figure—supporting dharmic restraint and gratitude.
In the Yuddhakhaṇḍa narrative frame, ethical perception and right relationship are prerequisites for approaching Saguna Shiva with purity of mind; honoring what is sacred and protective (mother-like) aligns the devotee toward Shiva’s grace, which is ultimately received through disciplined devotion rather than impulse.
A practical takeaway is cultivating bhāva of reverence and restraint before worship—beginning japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a mind anchored in gratitude and non-violence, then offering bhasma/tripuṇḍra and prayer for right discernment.