Shloka 26
उपमन्यूपदेशः
Upamanyu’s Instruction
तत्प्रभावाद्व्रते तस्मिन्नेको द्विजसुतः पुरा । कश्चित्स्त्रीत्वं गतो लोभात्कृतदाराकृतिश्छलात्
tatprabhāvādvrate tasminneko dvijasutaḥ purā | kaścitstrītvaṃ gato lobhātkṛtadārākṛtiśchalāt
اس ورت کے اثر سے، قدیم زمانے میں ایک برہمن کا بیٹا لالچ کے باعث عورت کی حالت کو پہنچ گیا؛ بیوی کا بھیس بنا کر فریب سے۔
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It highlights that a vrata has real potency, but when driven by lobha (greed) and chala (deceit), its fruits can manifest as binding, identity-altering karmic consequences rather than liberating merit—underscoring Shaiva ethics of purity of intention.
Vratas in the Shiva Purana are typically performed as offerings to Saguna Shiva (often through Linga-worship). The verse warns that external observance without truthful dharma and right bhāva can still produce powerful results, yet not necessarily spiritual upliftment.
The implied takeaway is to perform Shiva-vratas with sattvic intent—supporting them with honest conduct, mantra-japa (e.g., the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), and disciplined self-restraint, avoiding greed-driven motivations.