Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 50
दीक्षितपुत्रस्य दैन्यचिन्ता तथा शिवरात्र्युपासनाप्रसङ्गः / The Initiate’s Son in Distress and the Occasion of Śivarātri Worship
एवमाज्ञापयामास स यमो निज किंकरान् । तथेति मत्वा ते सर्वे तूष्णीमासञ्छुचिस्मिताः
evamājñāpayāmāsa sa yamo nija kiṃkarān | tatheti matvā te sarve tūṣṇīmāsañchucismitāḥ
ดังนี้พระยมมีบัญชาแก่บริวารของตน ครั้นพวกเขาคิดว่า “เป็นเช่นนั้นเถิด” ก็พากันสงบนิ่ง มีรอยยิ้มอ่อนโยนอันบริสุทธิ์บนใบหน้า
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Purāṇic account to the sages, with Yama’s action described)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It highlights the inevitability and order of dharma: even Yama’s attendants act with disciplined restraint, implying that cosmic justice operates under divine ordinance and not personal impulse—prompting the seeker to take refuge in Shiva for liberation from karmic bondage.
In Shaiva understanding, Yama’s jurisdiction applies to bound souls (paśu) under bonds (pāśa). Worship of Saguna Shiva through the Liṅga is a practical refuge that purifies karma and turns the mind toward Pati (Shiva), the Lord who grants grace and freedom beyond death’s fear.
A simple takeaway is disciplined remembrance: japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a calm, silent mind—supported by Shaiva markers like bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa—cultivates inner steadiness amid the realities of karma and mortality.