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
Voici une arme pareille au vajra, l’éclair d’Indra—terrible, capable d’anéantir des guerriers tels que toi. Mais où est ton corps, tendre comme un lotus délicat ? Réfléchis ainsi, puis n’accomplis que ce qui te paraît vraiment juste.
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.