Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 53
बाणासुरस्य शङ्करस्तुतिः तथा युद्धयाचनम् | Bāṇāsura’s Praise of Śiva and Petition for Battle
क्रीडन्नारीजनैस्सार्द्धं प्रपिबन्माधवी मधु । सर्वांगसुन्दरः श्यामः सुस्मितो नवयौवनः
krīḍannārījanaissārddhaṃ prapibanmādhavī madhu | sarvāṃgasundaraḥ śyāmaḥ susmito navayauvanaḥ
Jouant parmi les femmes, il buvait la douce liqueur Mādhavī. De teint sombre, beau en chacun de ses membres, au sourire délicat, il paraissait dans la fraîcheur d’une jeunesse nouvelle.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse portrays a worldly-looking scene to highlight the Purāṇic method of teaching: the Lord’s Saguna appearance can move among pleasures without bondage, reminding devotees that true freedom is inner detachment and sovereignty (aiśvarya) of Pati, not indulgence for the bound soul (paśu).
It supports Saguna-upāsanā: devotees contemplate Shiva’s auspicious form—dark-hued, serene, smiling—as a means to steady bhakti and concentration. From this form-based devotion, one is led to the Linga as the abiding, transcendent presence beyond changing scenes.
As a takeaway, practice japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while meditating on Shiva’s calm smile and beauty, cultivating vairāgya (non-attachment). If following Shaiva ritual, accompany japa with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and rudrākṣa as supports for steadiness and purity.