Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 58
द्वारपाल-गणेशसंवादः / The Dialogue at the Gate: Gaṇeśa and Śiva’s Gaṇas
विनयः क्रियते चेद्वै वश्यश्शंभुः स्त्रिया सदा । इति ख्यातिर्भवेल्लोके गर्हिता मे गणा धुवम्
vinayaḥ kriyate cedvai vaśyaśśaṃbhuḥ striyā sadā | iti khyātirbhavelloke garhitā me gaṇā dhuvam
หากเรายอมแสดงความนอบน้อม ก็จักเป็นที่เลื่องลือในโลกเสมอว่า “ศัมภูอยู่ใต้อำนาจสตรี”; ดังนั้นหมู่คณะคณะผู้ติดตามของเราย่อมถูกติฉินแน่นอน।
Lord Shiva (Śambhu), inferred within the Kumārakhaṇḍa narrative context
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse highlights the tension between worldly perception (loka-khyāti) and divine intention: even when Śiva is supremely free (Pati), he considers the social ripple-effects on his gaṇas, modeling responsible conduct while remaining inwardly unattached.
In Saguna worship, devotees relate to Śiva through personal leelas and relationships; this verse shows Śiva engaging with worldly roles while never losing his transcendence—encouraging devotees to see the Linga as the stable, nirvikāra reality behind changing narratives.
A practical takeaway is to cultivate vinaya (humility) while anchoring the mind in Śiva through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” so actions are guided by dharma rather than fear of public opinion.