Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 31
विष्णोः स्तुतिः—शिवसतीरक्षावचनम्
Viṣṇu’s Hymn and the Petition for Śiva–Satī’s Protection
रुद्र उवाच । किमेतद्विहितं पाप त्वया कर्म विगर्हितम् । विवाहे मम कांताया वक्त्रं दृष्टं न रागतः
rudra uvāca | kimetadvihitaṃ pāpa tvayā karma vigarhitam | vivāhe mama kāṃtāyā vaktraṃ dṛṣṭaṃ na rāgataḥ
രുദ്രൻ അരുളിച്ചെയ്തു—ഹേ പാപിയേ! നീ എന്തിന് ഈ നിന്ദ്യകർമ്മം ചെയ്തു? എന്റെ പ്രിയയുടെ വിവാഹസമയത്ത് നീ അവളുടെ മുഖം ഭക്തിയാൽ അല്ല, കാമഭാവത്താൽ നോക്കി.
Lord Shiva (Rudra)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: The verse is part of the Satī wedding narrative; it functions as moral-theological instruction (maryādā in darśana of the Devī) rather than a site-origin account.
Significance: Used in kathā settings to teach that darśana of the Devī/Śiva in sacred rites must be free from rāga; pilgrimage is purified by śraddhā and restraint, not voyeuristic desire.
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse condemns rāga (passionate, objectifying desire) as a binding impurity and affirms that dharmic vision—seeing with reverence—supports inner purity and liberation under Pati (Śiva).
Linga-worship trains the devotee to redirect the gaze from sensual appropriation to sacred contemplation; this verse highlights the same discipline—approaching Śiva and Śakti with bhakti and maryādā (reverent restraint).
Practice purity of perception: japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) while cultivating respectful drishti (gaze), and support it with simple Shaiva disciplines like bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and mindful restraint.