Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 38
मन्दरगिरिवर्णनम् — Description of Mount Mandara as Śiva’s Residence
Tapas-abode
तस्माद्वर्णमिमं त्यक्त्वा त्वया रहसि निन्दितम् । वर्णान्तरं भजिष्ये वा न भजिष्यामि वा स्वयम्
tasmādvarṇamimaṃ tyaktvā tvayā rahasi ninditam | varṇāntaraṃ bhajiṣye vā na bhajiṣyāmi vā svayam
เพราะฉะนั้น เมื่อสละฐานะแห่งวรรณะนี้ซึ่งท่านได้ติเตียนอย่างลับ ๆ แล้ว ข้าพเจ้าจะเลือกด้วยตนเองว่าจะเข้าสู่วรรณะอื่น หรือจะไม่เข้าสู่วรรณะใดเลย
An aggrieved interlocutor within the Vāyavīyasaṃhitā narrative (disciple/householder voice), as relayed by Sūta Gosvāmin to the sages
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights disillusionment with merely external social identity (varṇa) when it becomes a cause of hypocrisy or hidden contempt, implying that true dharma is measured by inner integrity and orientation to Śiva, the Pati (Lord) beyond worldly labels.
Linga-worship centers devotion on Śiva as the universal ground, not on social rank; the verse’s tension with varṇa points toward taking refuge in Saguna Śiva through devotion and discipline, where eligibility is rooted in bhakti and conduct rather than secret social judgment.
A practical takeaway is to adopt Śaiva sādhana that purifies intention—regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), wearing rudrākṣa and applying tripuṇḍra with humility—so one’s spiritual life is not dependent on social approval.