Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 33
कैलासगमनं कुबेरसख्यं च — Śiva’s Journey to Kailāsa and His Friendship with Kubera
न चर्तुस्नातययापीह मुखं दुष्टस्य वीक्षितम् । अहो बलीयान्स विधिर्येन जातो भवानिति
na cartusnātayayāpīha mukhaṃ duṣṭasya vīkṣitam | aho balīyānsa vidhiryena jāto bhavāniti
ಚತುರ್ವಿಧ ಶುದ್ಧಿಸ್ನಾನ ಮಾಡಿದರೂ ಇಲ್ಲಿ ಈ ದುಷ್ಟನ ಮುಖವನ್ನು ನಾನು ನೋಡಿಲ್ಲ. ಅಯ್ಯೋ, ಎಷ್ಟು ಬಲಿಷ್ಠವೋ ಆ ವಿಧಿ—ಅದರ ಮೂಲಕ ನೀನು ಜನಿಸಿದ್ದೆ!
Brahmā (narrated within Sūta Gosvāmin’s discourse in the Rudrasaṃhitā context)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
The verse contrasts outer purity (ritual bathing) with inner discernment, implying that contact with wickedness is spiritually polluting, while also acknowledging the binding force of karma/vidhi that brings beings into particular births and encounters.
It implicitly elevates inner purity and right intention—central to Shaiva worship—over mere external acts; Linga/Saguṇa-Śiva devotion is meant to purify the heart so one is not driven by hostility, aversion, or karmic compulsion.
Emphasize purity with snāna and, more importantly, inner cleansing through Shiva-oriented japa (e.g., the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and disciplined conduct, so ritual acts become spiritually effective.