Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 64
हिरण्यनेत्रस्य तपः — Hiraṇyanetra’s Austerity and the Boon
राजत्वमुक्तोऽखिलदैत्यनाथस्तपस्विना तन्मुनिना विहस्य । मत्वा स्वबुद्ध्या तृणवत्त्रिलोकं महौजसा वीरवरेण नूनम्
rājatvamukto'khiladaityanāthastapasvinā tanmuninā vihasya | matvā svabuddhyā tṛṇavattrilokaṃ mahaujasā vīravareṇa nūnam
Zur Königsherrschaft entlassen, der Gebieter aller Daityas—obgleich jener asketische Muni ihn verlachte—kam gewiss aus eigenem Dünkel dazu, die drei Welten für bloßes Stroh zu halten, da er ein erlesener Held von außergewöhnlichem Glanz und großer Macht war.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Yuddhakhaṇḍa account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
It highlights how ahamkāra (egoic pride) distorts buddhi (discernment): even great power makes the deluded see the three worlds as insignificant, which in Shaiva thought becomes a cause of bondage (pāśa) until humbled by divine law and grace.
By contrasting worldly sovereignty with true lordship: Saguna Shiva as the Linga is the rightful Pati (Lord) of the three worlds, and devotion to Shiva corrects pride, reorienting power toward dharma rather than domination.
A practical takeaway is daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and inner reflection on humility—using worship to purify ego and stabilize discernment.