Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 66
हिरण्यनेत्रस्य तपः — Hiraṇyanetra’s Austerity and the Boon
क्वायं स्वरूपः क्व च मंदभाग्यो बलं त्वदीयं क्व च वीरुधो वा । शक्तोऽपि चेत्त्वं प्रयतस्व युद्धं कर्तुं तदा ह्येहि कुरुष्व किंचित्
kvāyaṃ svarūpaḥ kva ca maṃdabhāgyo balaṃ tvadīyaṃ kva ca vīrudho vā | śakto'pi cettvaṃ prayatasva yuddhaṃ kartuṃ tadā hyehi kuruṣva kiṃcit
তোমার এই মহিমান্বিত স্বরূপ কোথায়, আর এই দুর্ভাগ্য দশা কোথায়? তোমার শক্তি কোথায়, আর তুমি লতার মতো কোথায়? যদি সত্যিই সক্ষম হও, তবে যুদ্ধ করতে উদ্যোগী হও; এসো, অন্তত কিছু করো।
A warrior in the battle narrative (Yuddhakhaṇḍa), taunting his opponent (as narrated by Sūta to the sages)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse contrasts one’s claimed “true nature” with actual conduct, urging decisive effort (prayatna). In a Shaiva reading, it warns that without disciplined action and inner steadiness, boasting about strength is empty—spiritual progress requires sincere striving under Shiva’s grace.
Though spoken in a battle context, it indirectly supports Saguna Shiva worship as a path of purification: devotion, vows, and steady practice align one’s inner nature with outward action. Linga worship trains humility and firmness, replacing wavering weakness with dharmic resolve.
The takeaway is disciplined effort: daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa, cultivating steadiness so one’s spiritual “strength” is expressed as consistent practice rather than mere words.