Shloka 21
पार्वत्याः तपः-परीक्षा (Śiva Tests Pārvatī’s Austerity)
ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्युक्त्वा पार्वती वह्नौ तत्पुरः प्रविवेश सा । निषिध्यमाना पुरतो ब्राह्मणेन पुनः पुनः
brahmovāca | ityuktvā pārvatī vahnau tatpuraḥ praviveśa sā | niṣidhyamānā purato brāhmaṇena punaḥ punaḥ
ब्रह्मोवाच—इत्युक्त्वा सा पार्वती तस्य पुरतः वह्नौ प्रविवेश; पुरतः स्थितो ब्राह्मणः पुनः पुनः तां निषेधयामास।
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights unwavering saṅkalpa (spiritual resolve): Pārvatī’s fearless entry into fire symbolizes inner purification and the soul’s determined movement toward Pati (Śiva), transcending ordinary fear and social restraint.
Though the verse is narrative, its thrust supports Saguna-bhakti: steadfast devotion and self-purification are presented as the proper inner disposition that ripens into Śiva-realization, which later expresses as reverence to Śiva’s forms, including the Liṅga.
The implied takeaway is tapas with restraint and purity—supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and inner “fire” meditation (austerity and self-discipline), rather than impulsive physical self-harm.