Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 67
हिरण्यनेत्रस्य तपः — Hiraṇyanetra’s Austerity and the Boon
वज्राशनेस्तुल्यमिहास्ति शस्त्रं भवादृशां नाशकरं च घोरम् । क्व ते शरीरं मृदुपद्मतुल्यं विचार्य चैवं कुरु रोचते यत्
vajrāśanestulyamihāsti śastraṃ bhavādṛśāṃ nāśakaraṃ ca ghoram | kva te śarīraṃ mṛdupadmatulyaṃ vicārya caivaṃ kuru rocate yat
Aquí hay un arma semejante al rayo-vajra de Indra: terrible y capaz de destruir a guerreros como tú. Pero ¿dónde está tu cuerpo, tierno como un loto suave? Reflexiona así, y luego haz sólo lo que de veras te parezca correcto.
Suta Goswami (narrating the battlefield dialogue in the Yuddhakhaṇḍa)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It contrasts outer force (a thunderbolt-like weapon) with inner discernment: the verse urges vicāra—clear reflection—so one acts according to dharma rather than fear, a key Shaiva approach where surrender to Shiva steadies the mind amid danger.
In the Yuddhakhaṇḍa’s Saguna narrative setting, the teaching supports Linga-centered devotion by implying that bodily fragility is real, but the devotee’s refuge is Shiva as Pati (Lord); remembrance of Shiva makes one act rightly even when the body is as delicate as a lotus.
The practical takeaway is steadying the mind through Shiva-smaraṇa (remembrance) and japa of the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” before decisive action, cultivating calm discernment (vicāra) rather than impulsive reaction.