Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 36
गिरिजातपः-परीक्षा तथा सप्तर्षि-आह्वानम्
Girijā’s Austerity-Test and the Summoning of the Seven Sages
तेऽपि तत्र गताः पुत्रास्तपोर्थं पितुराज्ञया । नारदोऽपि ययौ तत्र पुनस्तत्स्वोपदेशकृत्
te'pi tatra gatāḥ putrāstaporthaṃ piturājñayā | nārado'pi yayau tatra punastatsvopadeśakṛt
Ang mga anak na iyon ay nagtungo rin doon upang magsagawa ng mahigpit na tapasya, sa pagsunod sa utos ng kanilang ama. Si Narada Muni ay muling nagtungo roon, at muli ring naging tagapagbigay ng banal na tagubilin sa kanila.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights disciplined tapas done in obedience to rightful guidance, and the necessity of a realized teacher (Nārada) whose upadeśa directs austerity toward Shiva-realization rather than mere self-effort.
Tapas and guru-instruction are presented as preparatory means that mature into focused devotion—typically expressed in the Purana through Saguna Shiva worship (including Linga-upāsanā), where disciplined practice becomes steady bhakti.
The takeaway is to undertake regulated tapas under proper upadeśa—such as daily japa of Shiva-mantra (especially the Panchākṣarī, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with purity, restraint, and consistency.