Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 56
शिवपुत्रजननवर्णनम् — Description of the Birth/Manifestation of Śiva’s Son
स्नानं कृत्वा स्त्रियस्ता हि महाशीतार्द्दिताश्च षट् । गंतुकामा मुने याता वह्निज्वालासमीपतः
snānaṃ kṛtvā striyastā hi mahāśītārdditāśca ṣaṭ | gaṃtukāmā mune yātā vahnijvālāsamīpataḥ
Tắm xong, sáu người phụ nữ ấy—bị cái lạnh dữ dội hành hạ—muốn ra đi, bạch hiền giả, liền đến gần những ngọn lửa của đống lửa.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights the purificatory act of snāna followed by seeking warmth—showing bodily discipline within dharma, where outer cleansing supports inner steadiness (śauca) on the Shaiva path.
Though the verse is narrative, it reflects the Shaiva ritual rhythm: cleansing (snāna) prepares one for proximity to sacred power—later expressed more fully as approaching Shiva’s saguna presence in worship (pūjā) with purity and composure.
The implied practice is preparatory śauca: bathe before worship or japa, then stabilize the body (remove discomfort like cold) so the mind can remain focused for mantra and devotion.