Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 12
वृन्दायाः दुष्स्वप्न-दर्शनं तथा पातिव्रत्य-भङ्गोपक्रमः / Vṛndā’s Ominous Dreams and the Prelude to the Breach of Chastity
भ्रमती सा ततो बाला ददर्शातीव भीषणौ । राक्षसौ सिंहवदनौ दृष्ट्वा दशनभासुरौ
bhramatī sā tato bālā dadarśātīva bhīṣaṇau | rākṣasau siṃhavadanau dṛṣṭvā daśanabhāsurau
তারপর ঘুরে বেড়াতে বেড়াতে সেই বালিকা দেখল দুই ভীষণ রাক্ষস—সিংহমুখ, আর তাদের দাঁত ভয়ংকর দীপ্তিতে ঝলমল করছে। তাদের দেখে সে আতঙ্কে কেঁপে উঠল।
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Shakti Form: Kālī
Role: destructive
FAQs
The verse highlights the condition of the jīva when confronted by भय (fear) and adharma symbolized by rākṣasas; in Shaiva thought, such fear becomes the doorway to śaraṇāgati—taking refuge in Pati (Lord Shiva), the protector who cuts the bonds of distress.
In the Purāṇic narrative style, terrifying forces often precede divine intervention; remembering Saguna Shiva through Linga-worship is taught as a practical refuge—turning the mind from panic to steady devotion (bhakti) and trust in Shiva’s guardianship.
A direct takeaway is to stabilize the mind in fear by japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and, where appropriate, simple Shiva-protective observances like applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and maintaining inward remembrance (smaraṇa) of Shiva as Abhaya-prada (giver of fearlessness).