Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 27
शङ्खचूडकृततपः—ब्रह्मवरकवचप्राप्तिः / Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Austerity—Brahmā’s Boon and the Bestowal of the Kavaca
सत्क्रियोप्यशुचिर्नित्यं स पुमान्यः स्त्रिया जितः । निन्दंति पितरो देवा मानवास्सकलाश्च तम्
satkriyopyaśucirnityaṃ sa pumānyaḥ striyā jitaḥ | nindaṃti pitaro devā mānavāssakalāśca tam
ಸ್ತ್ರೀಯಿಂದ ಜಯಿಸಲ್ಪಟ್ಟ ಪುರುಷನು ಸತ್ಕ್ರಿಯೆಗಳನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿದರೂ ನಿತ್ಯ ಅಶುಚಿಯೆಂದು ಗಣ್ಯನು; ಪಿತೃಗಳು, ದೇವರುಗಳು ಮತ್ತು ಸಮಸ್ತ ಮಾನವರು ಅವನನ್ನು ನಿಂದಿಸುತ್ತಾರೆ।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: No Jyotirliṅga setting; this is a dharma-śāstra-like generalization about impurity and social censure, functioning as a moral constraint (pāśa) within the narrative.
FAQs
It stresses inner purity and self-mastery: mere external “good rites” are considered ineffective if one is overpowered by uncontrolled desire and loses discernment (dharma), which blocks steadiness needed for Shiva-bhakti and liberation.
Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana repeatedly emphasizes śauca (purity) and niyama (discipline). This verse frames devotion as requiring mastery over impulses so the worshipper can approach Saguna Shiva with a steady mind and pure intention rather than ritual alone.
Practice daily śauca and restraint (brahmacarya/indriya-nigraha), support worship with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and maintain Shaiva disciplines such as Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and regular pūjā to cultivate inner purity.