Shiva Purana — Satarudra Samhita, Shloka 29
साधुवेषद्विजाह्वयावतारकथनम् | Account of the ‘Sādhu-veṣa’ Brahmin-Named Incarnation
Prelude
सर्वान्संपृच्छ यत्नेन मेनादीन्पा र्वती विना । रोगिणे नौषधं शैल कुपथ्यं रोचते सदा
sarvānsaṃpṛccha yatnena menādīnpā rvatī vinā | rogiṇe nauṣadhaṃ śaila kupathyaṃ rocate sadā
हे शैलराज हिमालय! मेना आदि सब से यत्नपूर्वक पूछो, पर पार्वती को बीच में न लाओ। रोगी को औषधि कभी रुचती नहीं; उसे तो कुपथ्य ही सदा अच्छा लगता है।
Lord Shiva (instructing Himālaya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
FAQs
It teaches discernment: the bound soul (like a patient) often dislikes the “medicine” of dharma and tapas, preferring what strengthens bondage; Shiva urges careful, protective decision-making aligned with spiritual welfare.
Saguna Shiva acts as compassionate guide and healer: devotion to Shiva and Linga-worship is the curative discipline, even when the ego initially resists it—like a patient resisting medicine.
Adopt the ‘medicine’ consistently: japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with disciplined conduct, avoiding kupathya—habits that disturb purity and devotion.