Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 54
हिरण्यनेत्रस्य तपः — Hiraṇyanetra’s Austerity and the Boon
प्रयच्छ नारीं सम सान्त्वपूर्वं स्त्रिया तपः किं कुरुषे विमूढ । अयुक्तमेतत्त्वयि नानुरूपं यस्मादहं रत्नपतिस्त्रिलोके
prayaccha nārīṃ sama sāntvapūrvaṃ striyā tapaḥ kiṃ kuruṣe vimūḍha | ayuktametattvayi nānurūpaṃ yasmādahaṃ ratnapatistriloke
“Hãy trả lại người nữ ấy, bằng lời lẽ ôn hòa, vỗ về. Hỡi kẻ mê muội—ngươi định làm khổ hạnh (tapas) gì với vợ của người khác? Điều này bất chính, chẳng xứng với ngươi, bởi ta là Ratnapati, danh vang khắp ba cõi.”
Ratnapati (a king/warrior figure in the Yuddhakhaṇḍa narrative)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It distinguishes true tapas (austerity aligned with dharma and purity) from deluded “tapas” driven by desire; in Shaiva ethics, self-restraint and right conduct are prerequisites for spiritual power and Shiva’s grace.
Linga worship in the Shiva Purana is grounded in inner and outer purity; this verse underscores that violating dharma—especially through exploitation and uncontrolled passion—contradicts the discipline expected of a Shiva-bhakta seeking Saguna Shiva’s blessings.
The implied practice is dama (sense-control) and śuddhi (purification) as the basis for worship—supporting regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and disciplined vrata observance (e.g., Mahāśivarātri) without harming others.