Shiva Purana — Satarudra Samhita, Shloka 17
नारीसन्देहभञ्जक-शम्भ्ववतारकथा
The Account of Śambhu’s Incarnation that Dispels Doubts Concerning Women
सा दृष्ट्वा तत्र तम्बालं वने निर्मनुजे मुने । विस्मिताति द्विजस्त्री सा चिचिन्तं हृदये बहु
sā dṛṣṭvā tatra tambālaṃ vane nirmanuje mune | vismitāti dvijastrī sā cicintaṃ hṛdaye bahu
圣者啊，她在那无人之林中见到一处“坦婆罗”（居所/构筑物），那位婆罗门女子极为惊异，心中思绪万千。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights how a sudden, uncanny encounter in solitude can turn the mind inward—wonder (vismaya) becomes the doorway to deeper reflection, preparing the seeker for recognizing Shiva’s guiding presence behind events.
Though the Linga is not named here, the motif of a mysterious place in an empty forest fits the Purana’s pattern where Saguna Shiva’s grace becomes perceptible through signs and sacred locales, leading the devotee toward reverence and worship.
The immediate takeaway is inward contemplation (manana). A Shaiva practice aligned with this mood is silent japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namah Shivaya”—to steady the mind when faced with the unknown.