Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 15
हिरण्यनेत्रस्य तपः — Hiraṇyanetra’s Austerity and the Boon
अंधक उवाच । कालत्रये याश्च भवंति नार्यः श्रेष्ठाश्च मध्याश्च तथा कनिष्ठाः । तासां च मध्ये खलु रत्नभूता ममापि नित्यं जननीव काचित्
aṃdhaka uvāca | kālatraye yāśca bhavaṃti nāryaḥ śreṣṭhāśca madhyāśca tathā kaniṣṭhāḥ | tāsāṃ ca madhye khalu ratnabhūtā mamāpi nityaṃ jananīva kācit
अन्धक उवाच— कालत्रये याः स्त्रियो भवन्ति, श्रेष्ठा मध्याः कनिष्ठाश्च; तासां मध्ये रत्नभूता एका काचिन्मम नित्यं जननीव।
Andhaka
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse highlights discernment (viveka) and reverence: even amid worldly classifications, one should recognize and honor a truly virtuous, “jewel-like” presence—here expressed as a mother-like figure—supporting dharmic restraint and gratitude.
In the Yuddhakhaṇḍa narrative frame, ethical perception and right relationship are prerequisites for approaching Saguna Shiva with purity of mind; honoring what is sacred and protective (mother-like) aligns the devotee toward Shiva’s grace, which is ultimately received through disciplined devotion rather than impulse.
A practical takeaway is cultivating bhāva of reverence and restraint before worship—beginning japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a mind anchored in gratitude and non-violence, then offering bhasma/tripuṇḍra and prayer for right discernment.