Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 41
संध्याचरित्रवर्णनम् (Sandhyā-caritra-varṇana) — “Account of Sandhyā’s Story”
इदं रूपं परित्यज्य निजं रूपांतरं मुने । परिगृह्यांतिके तस्यास्तपश्चर्यां निदर्शयन्
idaṃ rūpaṃ parityajya nijaṃ rūpāṃtaraṃ mune | parigṛhyāṃtike tasyāstapaścaryāṃ nidarśayan
おお牟尼よ、彼はこの姿を捨て、自らの別の姿を取り、彼女の近くにとどまって、タパスの規律ある力を示した――苦行の実践を通してシャイヴァの道を顕し、魂がシヴァの恩寵へと熟してゆくことを明らかにした。
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhikṣāṭana
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights Śiva’s līlā of taking an appropriate form to guide and mature devotion, showing that disciplined tapas is not mere self-denial but a purifying sādhanā that makes the jīva fit for Śiva’s anugraha (grace).
By “assuming another form,” the verse underscores Saguna Śiva—Śiva who compassionately becomes approachable through form and conduct—supporting devotees who need a tangible model for practice, much like Linga-worship provides a concrete focus for devotion and inner absorption.
The takeaway is tapas as a Shaiva discipline—regular vrata-like restraint, japa (especially pañcākṣarī), and steady meditation—performed with devotion so that practice becomes a vehicle for grace rather than egoic austerity.