Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 13
पार्वत्याः तपः-परीक्षा (Śiva Tests Pārvatī’s Austerity)
वद कस्य कुले जाता कः पिता तव का विधा । महासौभाग्यरूपा त्वं वृथा तव तपोरतिः
vada kasya kule jātā kaḥ pitā tava kā vidhā | mahāsaubhāgyarūpā tvaṃ vṛthā tava taporatiḥ
சொல்—நீ எந்தக் குலத்தில் பிறந்தாய்? உன் தந்தை யார், உன் நிலையும் வாழ்வுமுறையும் என்ன? நீ மகாசௌபாக்கியத்தின் உருவமே; ஆகவே தவத்தில் உன் ஈடுபாடு எங்களுக்கு வீணெனத் தோன்றுகிறது.
Onlookers/people (addressing Pārvatī during her austerities; narrated within Sūta’s discourse)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It contrasts worldly auspiciousness with the higher aim of spiritual attainment: even if one appears “fortunate,” the soul’s longing for union with Pati (Śiva) can make tapas essential rather than optional.
The verse frames tapas as preparation for approaching Saguna Śiva through disciplined devotion; in the Purāṇic narrative, such resolve matures into focused worship that culminates in Śiva’s grace and acceptance.
A takeaway is steadfast sādhanā despite comfort—daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), simple austerity, and inner restraint, offered with bhakti rather than for social approval.