Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 37
संध्याचरित्रवर्णनम् (Sandhyā-caritra-varṇana) — “Account of Sandhyā’s Story”
मंदाक्षमभवत्तस्याः पुरा दृष्ट्वैव कामुकान् । युष्मान्मां च तथात्मानं सकामां मुनिसत्तम
maṃdākṣamabhavattasyāḥ purā dṛṣṭvaiva kāmukān | yuṣmānmāṃ ca tathātmānaṃ sakāmāṃ munisattama
اے بہترین مُنی! پہلے وہ محض کام پرست لوگوں کو دیکھتے ہی نگاہ جھکا لیتی تھی؛ اور وہ آپ کو، مجھے اور اپنے آپ کو بھی خواہشِ کام سے آلودہ سمجھتی تھی۔
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pasha
Sthala Purana: The verse diagnoses kāma (desire) as a binding force; it is ethical-psychological groundwork for later purification, not a Jyotirliṅga episode.
Significance: Teaches vairāgya: recognizing desire as bondage is itself a step toward liberation; pilgrims/aspirants are urged to cultivate modesty and inner restraint.
FAQs
The verse highlights viveka and vairāgya: recognizing how kāma (desire) can color perception, and turning inward toward purity so the mind becomes fit for Shiva-bhakti and liberation.
By contrasting desire-tainted vision with a purified outlook, it implies that Linga/Saguna Shiva worship is most fruitful when approached with self-restraint, devotion, and inner cleanliness rather than passion-driven motives.
A practical takeaway is cultivating dispassion through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined conduct; this steadies the gaze and mind away from kāma and toward Shiva.