Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 2
बाणस्य शोकः शिवस्मरणं च — Bāṇa’s Grief and the Turn to Śiva-Remembrance
सनत्कुमार उवाच । कृष्णे गते द्वारकायामनिरुद्धेन भार्यया । दुःखितोऽभूत्ततो बाणस्स्वाज्ञानं संस्मरन्हृदा
sanatkumāra uvāca | kṛṣṇe gate dvārakāyāmaniruddhena bhāryayā | duḥkhito'bhūttato bāṇassvājñānaṃ saṃsmaranhṛdā
Sanatkumāra sprach: Als Kṛṣṇa nach Dvārakā aufgebrochen war, zusammen mit Aniruddha und dessen Gemahlin, wurde Bāṇa von Kummer ergriffen und gedachte im Herzen seiner eigenen Torheit, die aus Unwissen entsprang.
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
The verse highlights how ajñāna (spiritual ignorance) culminates in duḥkha (sorrow) once the heat of conflict passes; remembrance of one’s error becomes the first turning toward inner purification and right understanding.
In the Yuddhakhaṇḍa narrative, worldly power and ego collapse into remorse; Shaiva worship of Saguna Shiva (as Lord who grants grace) is the remedial path—turning from ignorance to devotion, humility, and surrender before Shiva’s higher order (dharma).
A practical takeaway is prāyaścitta through Shiva-bhakti: daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with repentance, and simple purification practices like applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder to abandon pride and return to dharma.