Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 50
सती-शिवचरित्रप्रसङ्गः / The Account of Satī and Śiva’s Divine Conduct
Prelude to Detailed Narrative
त्यक्त्वा स्वरूपं कस्मात्ते धृतं रूपमिदं सति । ब्रूहि तत्कारणं देवि कृपां कृत्वा ममोपरि
tyaktvā svarūpaṃ kasmātte dhṛtaṃ rūpamidaṃ sati | brūhi tatkāraṇaṃ devi kṛpāṃ kṛtvā mamopari
Ôi Satī, vì sao nàng gác bỏ chân tướng của mình mà mang lấy hình dạng này? Ôi Nữ Thần, xin thương xót ta và nói cho ta biết nguyên do ấy.
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta insight that the Divine may veil or reveal forms out of grace (anugraha) for a higher purpose; Shiva’s question points to discerning the cause behind Shakti’s manifested appearance rather than clinging to mere outer form.
The verse underscores that form (saguna) is consciously assumed for the devotee’s benefit; likewise, Linga worship is a compassionate, accessible support for devotion and contemplation, guiding the mind from visible symbol to the deeper reality of Shiva.
A practical takeaway is to meditate on Shiva-Shakti with the Panchākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya"), contemplating the inner svarūpa beyond changing appearances, while maintaining bhakti with simple offerings such as bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and japa.