Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 65
हिरण्यनेत्रस्य तपः — Hiraṇyanetra’s Austerity and the Boon
क्वाहं च शस्त्राणि च दारुणानि मृत्योश्च संत्रासकरं क्व युद्ध । क्व वीरको वानरवक्त्रतुल्यो निशाचरो जरसा जर्जरांगः
kvāhaṃ ca śastrāṇi ca dāruṇāni mṛtyośca saṃtrāsakaraṃ kva yuddha | kva vīrako vānaravaktratulyo niśācaro jarasā jarjarāṃgaḥ
What am I, and what are these dreadful weapons? What is this battle that brings terror even to Death itself? And what is Vīraka—this night-roaming being, with a face like a monkey’s, his limbs shattered and worn down by old age?
Vīraka (a niśācara/rākṣasa warrior), speaking in despair/self-deprecation within the battle narrative as narrated by Sūta
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It dramatizes the collapse of pride: confronted with fear and mortality, the being recognizes his frailty. In Shaiva thought, such disillusionment (vairāgya) becomes a doorway to seeking refuge in Śiva, the Lord beyond death.
The verse highlights the limits of strength and weapons; hence devotees turn to Saguna Śiva—worshiped as the Liṅga—as the stable refuge (āśraya) when worldly supports fail and death looms.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with contemplation on impermanence (mṛtyu-smaraṇa), along with simple Śiva-upacāras like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as reminders of surrender.