Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 41
संध्याचरित्रवर्णनम् (Sandhyā-caritra-varṇana) — “Account of Sandhyā’s Story”
इदं रूपं परित्यज्य निजं रूपांतरं मुने । परिगृह्यांतिके तस्यास्तपश्चर्यां निदर्शयन्
idaṃ rūpaṃ parityajya nijaṃ rūpāṃtaraṃ mune | parigṛhyāṃtike tasyāstapaścaryāṃ nidarśayan
O pantas, iniwan Niya ang anyong ito at kinuha ang isa pang anyo na Kanya ring sarili; nanatili Siya sa tabi niya at ipinamalas ang disiplinadong kapangyarihan ng tapas—sa pamamagitan ng ascetikong pagsunod, inihayag ang landas na Śaiva kung saan nahihinog ang kaluluwa tungo sa biyaya ni Śiva.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhikṣāṭana
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights Śiva’s līlā of taking an appropriate form to guide and mature devotion, showing that disciplined tapas is not mere self-denial but a purifying sādhanā that makes the jīva fit for Śiva’s anugraha (grace).
By “assuming another form,” the verse underscores Saguna Śiva—Śiva who compassionately becomes approachable through form and conduct—supporting devotees who need a tangible model for practice, much like Linga-worship provides a concrete focus for devotion and inner absorption.
The takeaway is tapas as a Shaiva discipline—regular vrata-like restraint, japa (especially pañcākṣarī), and steady meditation—performed with devotion so that practice becomes a vehicle for grace rather than egoic austerity.