Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 51
दक्षस्य रुद्रनिन्दा-निमित्तकथनम् / The Cause of Dakṣa’s Censure of Rudra
स पर्वतपरः श्रीमांल्लब्धपुण्यफलोदयः । तदर्थमेव कृतवान् सुचिरं दुश्चरं तपः
sa parvataparaḥ śrīmāṃllabdhapuṇyaphalodayaḥ | tadarthameva kṛtavān suciraṃ duścaraṃ tapaḥ
Baginda, yang menumpukan hati pada gunung itu sebagai tempat suci pilihannya, bersinar dengan tuah yang baik dan kebangkitan pahala daripada kebajikan lampau, lalu demi tujuan itu semata-mata menjalani tapa yang amat berat dan sukar, berpanjangan lama.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: The mountain-lord (Himavān/Bhūdhareśvara in the surrounding narrative) performs long, difficult tapas to become worthy of Devī’s descent and to serve as her father in her next manifestation.
Significance: Models tapas as purification of the paśu (bound soul/finite being) to become a fit vessel for divine purpose; Himalaya as paradigmatic tapas-kṣetra.
FAQs
It highlights that sustained tapas, supported by prior merit, becomes a focused spiritual means to approach Pati (Lord Shiva), showing discipline, perseverance, and single-pointed intent as essential for grace and liberation.
By choosing a sacred place (the mountain) and performing prolonged austerity, the devotee turns inward while remaining oriented to Saguna Shiva as the accessible Lord who responds to devotion and tapas—often culminating in Shiva’s darśana or establishment/worship of the Linga in the narrative flow.
The verse primarily points to long-term tapas and yogic restraint; in Shaiva practice this is commonly paired with japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), steady dhyāna on Shiva, and disciplined observances such as purity, fasting, and worship at a consecrated holy spot.