Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 59
सती-शिवचरित्रप्रसङ्गः / The Account of Satī and Śiva’s Divine Conduct
Prelude to Detailed Narrative
कथं प्रणम्यस्त्वं तस्य सत्यं ब्रूहि ममाग्रतः । कुरु निस्संशयां त्वं मां शमलं प्राप्नुहि द्रुतम्
kathaṃ praṇamyastvaṃ tasya satyaṃ brūhi mamāgrataḥ | kuru nissaṃśayāṃ tvaṃ māṃ śamalaṃ prāpnuhi drutam
ท่านจะเป็นผู้ควรนอบน้อมต่อพระองค์นั้นได้อย่างไร? จงกล่าวความจริงต่อหน้าข้าพเจ้า จงขจัดความสงสัยของข้าพเจ้าให้สิ้น; มิฉะนั้นท่านจักได้รับมลทินและบาปโดยเร็ว
Satī (in dialogue within the Satīkhaṇḍa narrative, questioning about Śiva’s supremacy and worthiness of reverence)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse emphasizes satya (truthfulness) and the urgent removal of saṃśaya (spiritual doubt). In a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, doubt obscures right knowledge of Pati (Śiva); clarity and truthful speech restore discernment and protect one from spiritual downfall.
By asking who is truly “worthy of prostration,” the verse points to establishing the rightful object of devotion. In Shiva Purana devotion, Saguna Śiva—worshipped as the Liṅga and as the compassionate Lord—is affirmed as supremely worthy, and correct understanding strengthens authentic worship.
The practical takeaway is to remove doubt through śravaṇa (listening to śāstra) and satya-vākya (truthful speech), then steady the mind in Śiva-bhakti—commonly supported in Shaiva practice by japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and disciplined purity of conduct.