Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 9
वृन्दायाः दुष्स्वप्न-दर्शनं तथा पातिव्रत्य-भङ्गोपक्रमः / Vṛndā’s Ominous Dreams and the Prelude to the Breach of Chastity
तदनिष्टमिदं ज्ञात्वा रुदंती भयविह्वला । कुत्रचिन्नाप सा शर्म गोपुराट्टालभूमिषु
tadaniṣṭamidaṃ jñātvā rudaṃtī bhayavihvalā | kutracinnāpa sā śarma gopurāṭṭālabhūmiṣu
Sachant que cela était de mauvais augure, elle, en pleurs et bouleversée par la peur, ne trouva la paix nulle part, pas même sur les parvis des portes ni sur les hautes tours de guet.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Rudra Saṃhitā account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights that when the mind is seized by भय (fear) and aniṣṭa (adversity), external strongholds and worldly protections cannot grant śarma (inner peace); lasting refuge is found by turning the consciousness toward Shiva, the Pati who alone dispels भय through grace.
It contrasts unstable outer shelter with true refuge: in Shaiva practice, approaching Saguna Shiva through the Liṅga (steady symbol of the eternal Pati) becomes the grounding center where agitation subsides and the devotee regains śānti.
A practical takeaway is to steady the mind with Panchākṣarī japa—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and, where appropriate, wear Rudrākṣa and apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as reminders of Shiva-refuge, especially during fear or crisis.