Shloka 47
Śatarudrīya-prabhāva and Rudra’s Supremacy (शतरुद्रीयप्रभावः)
दक्षिणं च मुखं रौद्रं केनोर्ध्धव कपिला जटा: । केन कण्ठश्न ते नीलो बर्हिब्हनिभ: कृत:
dakṣiṇaṃ ca mukhaṃ raudraṃ kenordhvaṃ kapilā jaṭāḥ | kena kaṇṭhas te nīlo barhibhā-nibhaḥ kṛtaḥ ||
Uma berkata: “Wahai Bhagavan, mengapa wajah selatan-Mu begitu garang dan menggetarkan? Karena sebab apakah jalinan rambut-Mu yang terurai (jata) di atas menjadi berwarna kapila—kecokelatan keemasan? Dan karena alasan apa tenggorokan-Mu menjadi biru, laksana kilau bulu merak?”
श्रीमहेश्वर उवाच
Educational Q&A
The verse frames a reverent inquiry into the ethical and theological meaning behind divine forms: even fearsome aspects and unusual marks (fierce face, tawny matted hair, blue throat) are not arbitrary but arise from purposeful causes, inviting reflection on how divinity encompasses both auspiciousness and awe.
In the Anuśāsana Parva’s discourse, Maheśvara asks about distinctive features associated with Śiva—his terrifying southern aspect, tawny jaṭā, and blue throat—setting up an explanatory account of their origins and significance.