Shloka 25
अनरण्यसुता–पिप्पलादचरितम् / The Episode of Anaraṇya’s Daughter and Sage Pippalāda
धर्म उवाच । मातर्जानीहि मां धर्मं ज्ञानिनाञ्च गुरो र्गुरुम् । परस्त्रीमातृबुद्धिश्च कुव्वर्न्तं सततं सति
dharma uvāca | mātarjānīhi māṃ dharmaṃ jñānināñca guro rgurum | parastrīmātṛbuddhiśca kuvvarntaṃ satataṃ sati
Dharma berkata: “Wahai Ibu, ketahuilah aku sebagai Dharma—guru bagi para bijaksana, bahkan guru kepada para guru. Wahai wanita suci, aku sentiasa teguh dalam sikap memandang isteri orang lain sebagai ibu.”
Dharma (personified righteousness)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It presents Dharma as a living spiritual authority: true wisdom is inseparable from moral purity, especially mastery over desire through reverent perception of others—supporting inner śuddhi that prepares one for Shiva-bhakti and liberation.
Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is not merely external; it is upheld by inner restraints. Seeing all with purity and restraint stabilizes the mind, making devotion to Saguna Shiva (and contemplation of the Linga) fruitful and grace-bearing.
A practical yama-like discipline is implied: cultivate mātṛ-bhāva (mother-attitude) toward others’ spouses to restrain lust; this supports japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and steadiness in vrata observances such as Mahāśivarātri.