Shiva Purana — Satarudra Samhita, Shloka 68
नारीसन्देहभञ्जक-शम्भ्ववतारकथा
The Account of Śambhu’s Incarnation that Dispels Doubts Concerning Women
तौ शाण्डिल्यमुनेस्तात निदेशान्नियम स्थितौ । प्रदोषे चक्रतुः शम्भोः पूजां कृत्वा व्रतं शुभम्
tau śāṇḍilyamunestāta nideśānniyama sthitau | pradoṣe cakratuḥ śambhoḥ pūjāṃ kṛtvā vrataṃ śubham
O minamahal, ayon sa tagubilin ng pantas na si Śāṇḍilya at matatag sa mga pagtalima, sa banal na oras ng pradoṣa ay isinagawa nila ang pagsamba kay Śambhu; at matapos Siyang sambahin, tinanggap nila ang isang mapalad na panata.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: The verse highlights pradoṣa-kāla Śiva-pūjā as a vrata; in many sthala traditions, pradoṣa worship is said to grant quick access to Śiva’s grace and removal of pāśa (bondage).
Significance: Pradoṣa-vrata is classically praised for pāpa-kṣaya and āyur-ārogya, culminating in Śiva-anugraha (liberating grace).
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It affirms that Shiva’s grace is approached through śraddhā (faith) expressed as niyama (disciplined observance), especially by honoring pradoṣa—an auspicious liminal time—where devoted worship and vrata purify the pashu (bound soul) and align it toward Pati (Shiva).
By naming Śambhu and emphasizing pūjā during pradoṣa, the verse supports Saguna upāsanā—worship of Shiva with form and attributes—commonly performed to the Shiva-liṅga with offerings, mantra, and regulated conduct as taught by a guru or rishi.
Perform Pradosha Shiva-puja with a vowed discipline (vrata): maintain niyamas (purity, restraint, truthfulness), worship at twilight with mantra-japa (traditionally the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and keep the vow’s observances as instructed by an authoritative teacher.