Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 68
कामशापानुग्रहः (Kāmaśāpānugraha) — “The Curse and Grace Concerning Kāma”
काम उवाच । किमर्थं भवता ब्रह्मञ् शप्तोहमिति दारुणम् । अनागास्तव लोकेश न्याय्यमार्गानुसारिणः
kāma uvāca | kimarthaṃ bhavatā brahmañ śaptohamiti dāruṇam | anāgāstava lokeśa nyāyyamārgānusāriṇaḥ
کام نے کہا—اے برہمن! آپ نے مجھے اتنا سخت اور ہولناک شاپ کیوں دیا؟ اے لوکیشور! میں بے قصور ہوں؛ میں نیاۓ اور دھرم کے راستے پر چلنے والا ہوں۔
Kama (Kamadeva)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights the tension between personal self-justification and the higher law of dharma: even subtle forces like desire (kāma) can become bondage (pāśa) when they disturb the divine order, and accountability operates through karmic and cosmic governance.
By portraying kāma as a force that claims legitimacy, the verse points to why devotees take refuge in Saguna Shiva (often through Linga worship): Shiva is the Lord who masters and dissolves inner impulses, turning desire into disciplined devotion rather than worldly agitation.
A practical takeaway is to restrain and purify desire through japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and steady dharmic conduct; when impulses arise, redirect the mind to Shiva as Pati, the liberating Lord beyond pāśa.