Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 71
हिरण्यनेत्रस्य तपः — Hiraṇyanetra’s Austerity and the Boon
गृहीतखड्गो वरदानमत्तः प्रचंडवातानुकृतिं च कुर्वन् । गंतुं च तत्र स्मरबाणविद्धस्समुद्यतोऽभूद्विप रीतदेवः
gṛhītakhaḍgo varadānamattaḥ pracaṃḍavātānukṛtiṃ ca kurvan | gaṃtuṃ ca tatra smarabāṇaviddhassamudyato'bhūdvipa rītadevaḥ
Das Schwert ergriffen, berauscht von der empfangenen Gabe und dem Toben eines wilden Sturmes gleich, erhob sich Viparītadeva—von Kāmas Pfeilen durchbohrt—bereit, dorthin, auf das Schlachtfeld, aufzubrechen.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights how a boon can inflate ego (ahaṅkāra) and how desire (kāma), symbolized by Smara’s arrows, becomes a pāśa (bondage) that drives beings into restless, wind-like agitation—contrary to the Shiva-centric path of inner stillness and surrender to Pati (Śiva).
In contrast to the demon’s outward force and desire-driven impulse, Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga-upāsanā—trains the mind toward steadiness, humility, and devotion, transforming passion and pride into disciplined bhakti and remembrance of Śiva as the supreme refuge.
A practical takeaway is to counter kāma and arrogance through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with calm breath awareness, and to cultivate purity and restraint; if following Shiva Purana practices, one may also adopt Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of detachment and Śiva-smarana.