Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 1
सतीदेव्याः योगमार्गेण देहत्यागः — Satī’s Yogic Abandonment of the Body
नारद उवाच । मौनीभूता यदा सासीत्सती शंकरवल्लभा । चरित्रं किमभूत्तत्र विधे तद्वद चादरात्
nārada uvāca | maunībhūtā yadā sāsītsatī śaṃkaravallabhā | caritraṃ kimabhūttatra vidhe tadvada cādarāt
Nārada thưa: “Khi Satī, ái thê của Śaṅkara, trở nên lặng thinh, nơi ấy đã xảy ra điều gì? Ôi Đấng An bài (Brahmā), xin kể lại câu chuyện ấy với lòng kính cẩn.”
Nārada
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse highlights reverent inquiry (śraddhā-yukta praśna) as a key spiritual method: Nārada seeks the truth of Satī’s inner state and conduct, indicating that understanding Śiva’s līlā is approached through humility, devotion, and careful listening.
By calling Satī “Śaṅkara-vallabhā,” the verse anchors the narrative in devotion to Saguna Śiva—Śiva known through relationship, grace, and līlā. Such stories cultivate bhakti that naturally supports Linga-worship as a concrete focus for reverence toward Śiva.
The immediate practice implied is disciplined silence and attentive hearing (mauna and śravaṇa) done with ādara (reverence). A practical takeaway is to listen to Śiva-kathā and repeat the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with a quiet, steady mind.