Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 1
हिरण्यनेत्रस्य तपः — Hiraṇyanetra’s Austerity and the Boon
सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततो हिरण्याक्षसुतः कदाचित्संश्रावितो नर्मयुतैर्मदांधैः । तैर्भ्रातृभिस्संप्रयुतो विहारे किमंध राज्येन तवाद्य कार्यम्
sanatkumāra uvāca | tato hiraṇyākṣasutaḥ kadācitsaṃśrāvito narmayutairmadāṃdhaiḥ | tairbhrātṛbhissaṃprayuto vihāre kimaṃdha rājyena tavādya kāryam
Dijo Sanatkumāra: Entonces, cierta vez, el hijo de Hiraṇyākṣa, mientras se divertía con sus hermanos—ebrios, entregados a la burla—fue hecho oír sus palabras: «¡Oh ciego!, ¿de qué te sirve hoy un reino?»
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It highlights how arrogance and intoxication distort discernment; in Shaiva terms, such delusion is a form of pāśa (bondage) that pulls beings away from right understanding and toward downfall.
Though the verse is narrative, it sets up the contrast between worldly power and true refuge; Saguna Shiva (as the compassionate Lord and judge of karma) is the ultimate authority before whom pride in “kingdom” becomes meaningless.
A practical takeaway is to counter intoxication of ego with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and a daily discipline of humility—approaching Shiva with reverence rather than self-importance.