Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 25
अनुग्रह-स्वातन्त्र्य-प्रमाणविचारः | Inquiry into Pramāṇa, Divine Autonomy, and Grace
सदोषा एव देवाद्या निगृहीता यथोदितम् । ततस्तेपि विपाप्मानः प्रजाश्चापि गतज्वराः
sadoṣā eva devādyā nigṛhītā yathoditam | tatastepi vipāpmānaḥ prajāścāpi gatajvarāḥ
ดังที่กล่าวไว้ เหล่าเทวะเป็นต้นยังมีโทษอยู่ จึงถูกข่มปราบตามควร ครั้นแล้วพวกเขาก็พ้นบาป และหมู่ประชาก็สลัดพ้นจากความเร่าร้อนดุจไข้ได้เช่นกัน।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Nīlakaṇṭha
Sthala Purana: General doctrinal statement: devas too can be ‘sadoṣa’ (fault-bearing) and benefit from Śiva’s restraint, resulting in purification (vipāpmatā) and relief of ‘jvara’ (burning affliction) for prajā.
Significance: Encourages devotees to interpret suffering/discipline as purificatory; reinforces Śiva as healer of inner ‘jvara’ (kleśa/saṃsāra-tāpa).
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches that even exalted beings like the devas can carry doṣa (impurity) and require niyama (restraint). When order is restored, pāpa is dissolved and the inner “fever” of bondage—restlessness, suffering, and karmic heat—subsides, aligning with Shaiva Siddhanta’s view that grace and right governance of the self remove pāśa.
The verse reflects Saguna Shiva’s role as the cosmic governor who restrains disorder and purifies beings. In Linga worship, devotees approach Shiva as the regulating, purifying presence—seeking removal of pāpa and the cooling of jvara-like distress through steady devotion and surrender.
The practical takeaway is disciplined restraint (self-control) joined with Shaiva purification: daily remembrance of Shiva with mantra-japa (especially “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and a purificatory routine such as applying tripuṇḍra-bhasma with reverence to cool inner agitation and reduce karmic impurity.