Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 26
कैलासगमनं कुबेरसख्यं च — Śiva’s Journey to Kailāsa and His Friendship with Kubera
श्वशुरोऽपि हि ते मान्यस्सर्वत्र गुणशीलतः । ततो न त्रपसे किन्नस्त्यज दुर्वृत्ततां सुत
śvaśuro'pi hi te mānyassarvatra guṇaśīlataḥ | tato na trapase kinnastyaja durvṛttatāṃ suta
แม้บิดาเขยของเจ้าก็ควรแก่การเคารพ เพราะเลื่องลือทั่วทุกแห่งด้วยคุณธรรมและความประพฤติดี แล้วเหตุใดเจ้าจึงไม่ละอาย? เพราะฉะนั้น ลูกเอ๋ย จงละทิ้งความประพฤติชั่วนี้เถิด
Brahmā (inferred narrator within Sṛṣṭi Khaṇḍa moral instruction context)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Tatpuruṣa
FAQs
It teaches dharma as a prerequisite for spiritual ascent: honoring the virtuous and abandoning corrupt conduct purifies the mind, making it fit for devotion to Pati (Śiva) and for liberation.
Linga/Saguna-Śiva worship in the Purāṇa is not merely ritual; it is supported by right conduct (ācāra). Without ethical restraint and respect for the righteous, external worship lacks the inner purity that makes it spiritually fruitful.
The verse primarily urges ethical self-correction; as a practical takeaway, pair daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a vow of avoiding durācāra (harmful speech and actions) to stabilize devotion.