Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 48
अन्धकादिदैत्ययुद्धे वीरकविजयः — Vīraka’s Victory over Andhaka’s Forces
प्रायोभवास्तापसस्तज्जुषस्व क्षांतं मया यत्कमनीयमन्तः । मुनिर्विरोधव्य इति प्रचिंत्य न त्वं मुनिस्तापस किं तु शत्रुः
prāyobhavāstāpasastajjuṣasva kṣāṃtaṃ mayā yatkamanīyamantaḥ | munirvirodhavya iti praciṃtya na tvaṃ munistāpasa kiṃ tu śatruḥ
Hỡi kẻ khổ hạnh, nếu ngươi thật sự sống bằng tiết chế và nhịn ăn, thì hãy nhận lấy điều này: Ta đã nhẫn chịu nỗi đau sâu kín trong lòng. Nghĩ rằng “bậc hiền triết không nên bị đối nghịch”, ta đã kìm lại; nhưng ngươi chẳng phải hiền triết, hỡi tapasvin—ngươi thực là kẻ thù.
An aggrieved warrior/king addressing a disguised ascetic opponent (tāpasa) in the battle narrative of the Yuddhakhaṇḍa
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse teaches discernment (viveka): outer marks of tapas do not make one a muni. In Shaiva ethics, true asceticism is inner purity and non-harming; when that is absent, “ascetic” becomes mere disguise, and dharma permits firm resistance.
Linga-worship emphasizes inner sincerity over external show. This verse aligns with Saguna Shiva’s role as Dharmapāla—upholding truth and exposing hypocrisy—reminding devotees that devotion must transform character, not merely appearance.
Practice kṣamā (forbearance) with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while maintaining discernment: do not enable adharma. A practical takeaway is daily japa with bhāva (inner intent) rather than performative austerity.