Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 66
हिरण्यनेत्रस्य तपः — Hiraṇyanetra’s Austerity and the Boon
क्वायं स्वरूपः क्व च मंदभाग्यो बलं त्वदीयं क्व च वीरुधो वा । शक्तोऽपि चेत्त्वं प्रयतस्व युद्धं कर्तुं तदा ह्येहि कुरुष्व किंचित्
kvāyaṃ svarūpaḥ kva ca maṃdabhāgyo balaṃ tvadīyaṃ kva ca vīrudho vā | śakto'pi cettvaṃ prayatasva yuddhaṃ kartuṃ tadā hyehi kuruṣva kiṃcit
Qu’est donc cette noble nature qui est la tienne, et qu’est donc ton sort infortuné ? Où est ta force, toi qui n’es plus qu’une liane rampante ? Si tu as vraiment la puissance, efforce-toi de combattre ; viens donc—fais quelque chose, ne fût-ce qu’un peu.
A warrior in the battle narrative (Yuddhakhaṇḍa), taunting his opponent (as narrated by Sūta to the sages)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse contrasts one’s claimed “true nature” with actual conduct, urging decisive effort (prayatna). In a Shaiva reading, it warns that without disciplined action and inner steadiness, boasting about strength is empty—spiritual progress requires sincere striving under Shiva’s grace.
Though spoken in a battle context, it indirectly supports Saguna Shiva worship as a path of purification: devotion, vows, and steady practice align one’s inner nature with outward action. Linga worship trains humility and firmness, replacing wavering weakness with dharmic resolve.
The takeaway is disciplined effort: daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa, cultivating steadiness so one’s spiritual “strength” is expressed as consistent practice rather than mere words.