Shiva Purana — Satarudra Samhita, Shloka 10
Arjuna–Gaṇa Saṃvāda: Bāṇādhikāra, Tāpasa-veṣa, and the Ethics of Tapas (अर्जुन-गणसंवादः)
तपस्वी च कथं मिथ्या भाषते कुरुते नरः । नैकाकिनं च मां त्वं च जानीहि वाहिनीपतिम्
tapasvī ca kathaṃ mithyā bhāṣate kurute naraḥ | naikākinaṃ ca māṃ tvaṃ ca jānīhi vāhinīpatim
Một người tu khổ hạnh sao có thể nói hay làm điều giả dối? Hãy biết: chẳng phải ta đơn độc, cũng chẳng phải ngươi đơn độc—hãy nhận ta là Vāhinīpati, Chúa Tể các đoàn quân và thiên binh.
Lord Shiva (as an authoritative divine speaker within the Shatarudrasaṃhitā narrative)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse upholds satya (truth) as a hallmark of genuine tapas and indicates that the Lord (Pati) is never absent—spiritual life is sustained by Shiva’s overseeing presence, not by isolated ego-effort.
By asserting Shiva as the governing Lord of all forces, the verse supports Saguna devotion—worship of Shiva (including the Linga) as the accessible divine protector who guides the devotee’s conduct toward truth and liberation.
Practice truthfulness as a vrata, and support it with daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to align speech, mind, and action with Shiva’s presence.