Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 56
शिवपुत्रजननवर्णनम् — Description of the Birth/Manifestation of Śiva’s Son
स्नानं कृत्वा स्त्रियस्ता हि महाशीतार्द्दिताश्च षट् । गंतुकामा मुने याता वह्निज्वालासमीपतः
snānaṃ kṛtvā striyastā hi mahāśītārdditāśca ṣaṭ | gaṃtukāmā mune yātā vahnijvālāsamīpataḥ
സ്നാനം കഴിഞ്ഞ് ആ ആറു സ്ത്രീകൾ കടുത്ത തണുപ്പാൽ പീഡിതരായി; പോകുവാൻ ആഗ്രഹിച്ചു, ഹേ മുനേ, അഗ്നിജ്വാലകളുടെ സമീപത്തേക്ക് ചെന്നു।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights the purificatory act of snāna followed by seeking warmth—showing bodily discipline within dharma, where outer cleansing supports inner steadiness (śauca) on the Shaiva path.
Though the verse is narrative, it reflects the Shaiva ritual rhythm: cleansing (snāna) prepares one for proximity to sacred power—later expressed more fully as approaching Shiva’s saguna presence in worship (pūjā) with purity and composure.
The implied practice is preparatory śauca: bathe before worship or japa, then stabilize the body (remove discomfort like cold) so the mind can remain focused for mantra and devotion.