Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 22
मित्रसह-राज्ञो रक्षत्व-शापकथा — The Curse that Turns King Mitrasaha into a Rakshasa
Vasiṣṭha’s Śāpa Narrative
अथ साध्वी च सा दीना विलप्य भृशदुःखिता । आहृत्य भर्तुरस्थीनि चितां चक्रे किलोल्बणाम्
atha sādhvī ca sā dīnā vilapya bhṛśaduḥkhitā | āhṛtya bharturasthīni citāṃ cakre kilolbaṇām
ਤਦ ਉਹ ਸਾਧਵੀ, ਦਿਨ ਹੋ ਕੇ ਘੋਰ ਦੁੱਖ ਨਾਲ ਵਿਲਾਪ ਕਰਦੀ, ਪਤੀ ਦੀਆਂ ਅਸਥੀਆਂ ਇਕੱਠੀਆਂ ਕਰ ਲਿਆਈ ਅਤੇ—ਕਿਹਾ ਜਾਂਦਾ ਹੈ—ਇੱਕ ਵੱਡੀ ਤੇ ਭਿਆਨਕ ਚਿਤਾ ਤਿਆਰ ਕੀਤੀ।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: destructive
FAQs
The verse highlights duḥkha (sorrow) and anitya-bhāva (impermanence) as catalysts for vairāgya and surrender; in Shaiva Siddhanta, such turning points can redirect the bound soul (paśu) from worldly attachment toward refuge in Pati—Lord Shiva.
By confronting death and loss, the mind seeks an enduring support; the Purana’s Jyotirlinga context frames Saguna Shiva (worshiped as the Linga) as the compassionate, stable locus for remembrance and devotion when worldly supports collapse.
A practical takeaway is to combine śiva-smaraṇa with japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—especially during rites connected with loss, cultivating detachment and seeking Shiva’s grace for peace and upliftment.