Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 20
शङ्खचूडकृततपः—ब्रह्मवरकवचप्राप्तिः / Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Austerity—Brahmā’s Boon and the Bestowal of the Kavaca
पतिव्रताः स्त्रियो याश्च तासां मध्ये त्वमग्रणीः । न चाहं पापदृक्कामी तथा त्वं नेति धीर्मम
pativratāḥ striyo yāśca tāsāṃ madhye tvamagraṇīḥ | na cāhaṃ pāpadṛkkāmī tathā tvaṃ neti dhīrmama
“Trong muôn người nữ giữ trọn đạo tiết với chồng, nàng là bậc đứng đầu. Ta chẳng phải kẻ ham cái nhìn tội lỗi; lòng ta tin chắc rằng nàng cũng không thuộc hạng ấy.”
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse upholds śuddhi (purity) of intention and vision as a mark of dharma: Parvati is praised as the foremost in steadfast devotion, and Shiva affirms that true nobility is freedom from sinful desire—an inner discipline that supports bhakti and spiritual steadiness.
In Saguna Shiva worship, the devotee approaches Shiva with purified mind and senses; this verse highlights that devotion is not merely external ritual but inner restraint. Such purity of intention is considered essential for fruitful Linga-puja and for receiving Shiva’s grace (anugraha).
A practical takeaway is sense-restraint (indriya-nigraha) alongside worship: keep a vow of purity, repeat the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with right intention, and perform simple Linga-puja with a disciplined mind, especially during vrata days like Mahashivratri.