Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 39
त्रिपुरवर्णनम् (Tripura-varṇanam) — “Description of Tripura”
संपीडनाय जगतो यदि स क्रियते तपः । सफलं तद्गतं वेद्यं तस्मात्सुविहितं तपः
saṃpīḍanāya jagato yadi sa kriyate tapaḥ | saphalaṃ tadgataṃ vedyaṃ tasmātsuvihitaṃ tapaḥ
Se a austeridade (tapas) é empreendida para oprimir o mundo, deve-se entender como ‘frutífera’ apenas nessa intenção destrutiva; por isso, o tapas verdadeiro deve ser bem orientado—praticado de modo correto e dhármico, em consonância com a ordem de Śiva, e não com crueldade.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse teaches that tapas is not automatically sacred; its spiritual value depends on intention and alignment with dharma. Austerity aimed at harming beings binds one deeper, while well-directed tapas—offered to Śiva and guided by righteousness—supports purification and liberation.
Linga-worship and Saguna Śiva devotion emphasize inner purity and non-harming. This verse reinforces that external power gained through penance is secondary; what matters is directing practice toward Śiva with dharmic intent, not toward domination or cruelty.
Undertake ‘su-vihita’ tapas: daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), worship of the Śiva-liṅga with humility, and disciplined vows (vrata) like Mahāśivarātri observance—keeping the mind free from malice and harm.