Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 14
शङ्खचूडकृततपः—ब्रह्मवरकवचप्राप्तिः / Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Austerity—Brahmā’s Boon and the Bestowal of the Kavaca
शंखचूड उवाच । का त्वं कस्य सुता त्वं हि किं करोषि स्थितात्र किम् । मौनीभूता किंकरं मां संभावितुमिहार्हसि
śaṃkhacūḍa uvāca | kā tvaṃ kasya sutā tvaṃ hi kiṃ karoṣi sthitātra kim | maunībhūtā kiṃkaraṃ māṃ saṃbhāvitumihārhasi
ଶଙ୍ଖଚୂଡ଼ କହିଲେ: ତୁମେ କିଏ? କାହାର କନ୍ୟା? ଏଠାରେ ରହି କ’ଣ କରୁଛ? ମୌନ ହୋଇ ମୋ ଭଳି ସେବକକୁ କାହିଁକି ସମ୍ଭାଷଣ କରୁନାହଁ?
Śaṅkhacūḍa
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights a mind clouded by ego and confusion: instead of recognizing divine purpose, Śaṅkhacūḍa interrogates identity and status. In a Śaiva Siddhānta lens, this reflects the bound soul (paśu) under impurity (mala), mistaking worldly power for true worthiness before the Lord (Pati).
Though the verse is narrative dialogue, it implicitly contrasts worldly authority with true refuge in Saguna Śiva. In Shiva Purana storytelling, such confrontations prepare the ground for recognizing that honor and protection ultimately belong to Śiva, worshiped as Liṅga and as the gracious Lord who subdues pride.
A practical takeaway is cultivating mauna (disciplined speech) and humility alongside japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—as a remedy for ego-driven speech and agitation; this aligns with Śaiva practice even when the verse itself is not prescribing a ritual.