Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 21
बाणासुरस्य शङ्करस्तुतिः तथा युद्धयाचनम् | Bāṇāsura’s Praise of Śiva and Petition for Battle
कुंभाण्डाय यथावृत्तं पृष्टः प्रोवाच हर्षितः । पर्यैक्षिष्टासुरो बाणस्तं योगं ह्युत्सुकस्सदा
kuṃbhāṇḍāya yathāvṛttaṃ pṛṣṭaḥ provāca harṣitaḥ | paryaikṣiṣṭāsuro bāṇastaṃ yogaṃ hyutsukassadā
ولمّا سُئِلَ من قِبَلِ كُمْبْهَانْدَةَ، قصَّ بفرحٍ كلَّ ما جرى كما وقع. وفي الأثناء كان الأسورا بَانَا يراقب تلك الرياضة اليوغية بعينٍ لا تفتر، متشوّقًا دائمًا لإتقانها.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights yoga as sustained, attentive discipline (abhyāsa): even powerful beings remain “ever eager” because mastery of the means (yoga) requires continuous focus—an essential Shaiva insight that liberation comes through steady practice directed to Pati (Shiva).
Though the verse is narrative, it frames “yoga” as a concrete upāya (means). In Shaiva practice this often takes Saguna forms—Linga worship, mantra-japa, and disciplined observances—through which the mind is trained toward Shiva.
The takeaway is constancy: maintain a daily sadhana such as Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with mindful discipline; if aligned with tradition, support it with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha as aids to steadiness.