Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 2
बाणासुरस्य क्रोधाज्ञा तथा अन्तःपुरयुद्धारम्भः
Bāṇāsura’s Wrathful Command and the Onset of Battle at the Inner Palace
तं दृष्ट्वा विस्मितं वाक्यं किं कारणमथाब्रवीत् । बाणः क्रोध परीतात्मा युधि शौंडो हसन्निव
taṃ dṛṣṭvā vismitaṃ vākyaṃ kiṃ kāraṇamathābravīt | bāṇaḥ krodha parītātmā yudhi śauṃḍo hasanniva
Seeing him astonished, Bāṇa then spoke: “What is the reason for this?” Though his mind was enveloped in anger, that battle-hardened warrior, in the midst of combat, seemed to smile as he spoke.
Suta Goswami (narrating the battle episode to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights a Shaiva ethical insight: even in intense conflict, inner states like krodha (anger) shape perception and speech. The “as if smiling” tone shows how pride and fury can mask themselves as confidence—an obstacle to surrender to Pati (Shiva) and to inner purification.
Yuddha-kathā in the Shiva Purana often contrasts human/asuric ego with devotion to Saguna Shiva, the Lord who grants grace when one turns from anger and self-will. Remembering Shiva as the inner ruler (Pati) encourages the devotee to replace reactive krodha with śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge) symbolized in Linga-worship.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to cool anger and steady the mind before action. Applying vibhūti (Tripuṇḍra) with remembrance of Shiva also serves as a restraint on impulsive speech and hostility.