Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 42
गिरिजातपः-परीक्षा तथा सप्तर्षि-आह्वानम्
Girijā’s Austerity-Test and the Summoning of the Seven Sages
नारदो मलिनात्मा हि सर्वदो ज्ज्वलदेहवान् । जानीमस्तं विशेषेण वयं तत्सहवासिनः
nārado malinātmā hi sarvado jjvaladehavān | jānīmastaṃ viśeṣeṇa vayaṃ tatsahavāsinaḥ
“那罗陀（Nārada）确是心性不净，虽能施与一切，身相亦光耀。我们——与他亲近同住者——对他尤为清楚、了然于心。”
Attendants/companions speaking within the narration of Suta Goswami (Rudra Saṃhitā, Pārvatīkhaṇḍa)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis that outer brilliance or spiritual status can coexist with inner impurity (mala). True spiritual maturity requires inner cleansing and humility, not merely visible radiance or accomplishments.
Linga/Saguna Shiva worship in the Shiva Purana repeatedly stresses purification of intention (bhāva-śuddhi). The verse implies that without inner purity, even a revered devotee’s external greatness is incomplete—hence worship must be paired with self-purification and surrender to Shiva.
A practical takeaway is to pair daily Shiva-pūjā with inner purification: japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and wearing Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder to reduce ego and cleanse the mind.