Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 25
बाणासुरस्य क्रोधाज्ञा तथा अन्तःपुरयुद्धारम्भः
Bāṇāsura’s Wrathful Command and the Onset of Battle at the Inner Palace
कुंभांड उवाच । नैतत्कर्तुं समुचितं कर्म देव विचार्यताम् । अस्मिन्हते हतो ह्यात्मा भवेदिति मतिर्मम
kuṃbhāṃḍa uvāca | naitatkartuṃ samucitaṃ karma deva vicāryatām | asminhate hato hyātmā bhavediti matirmama
Kumbhāṇḍa said: “O Deva, this deed is not proper—please reflect upon it. For it is my understanding that if this one is slain, the very self (ātman) is, as it were, slain.”
Kumbhāṇḍa
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse highlights dharma-vicāra (ethical discernment): even amid conflict, one must reflect before acting, recognizing the gravity of harming embodied beings and the karmic-spiritual weight such actions carry.
By urging reflection and restraint, the verse aligns with Saguna Shiva as the upholder of dharma and compassion; Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is repeatedly linked with inner purification, not mere outward victory.
The practical takeaway is to pause for vicāra (self-inquiry) and mantra-smaraṇa before decisive action—such as silently recalling “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to steady the mind and act in accordance with dharma.