Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 23
तारकवाक्य-शक्रविष्णुवीरभद्रयुद्धवर्णनम् — Account of Tāraka’s declarations and the battle involving Śakra (Indra), Viṣṇu, and Vīrabhadra
स्वजनन्याश्शिरश्छिन्नमवतारे रसाख्यके । गुरुपुत्रापमानश्च कृतोऽनेन दुरात्मना
svajananyāśśiraśchinnamavatāre rasākhyake | guruputrāpamānaśca kṛto'nena durātmanā
在被称为 Rasa 的化身中，这个邪恶的灵魂斩断了亲生母亲的头颅；他还对导师之子犯下了奇耻大辱。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights severe adharma—violence toward one’s mother and offense connected to the guru’s lineage—showing how such acts deepen bondage (pāśa) through heavy karma, and why Shaiva dharma insists on purity of conduct alongside devotion.
The Shiva Purana repeatedly frames Shiva (Saguna as Linga/Ishvara) as the purifier and moral governor: devotion bears fruit when paired with dharma; grave offenses require repentance and disciplined worship to regain fitness for Shiva’s grace (anugraha).
A practical takeaway is prāyaścitta through Shaiva disciplines—regular japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), worship of the Linga with humility, and purification practices like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa with sincere repentance.