Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 17
बाणासुरस्य क्रोधाज्ञा तथा अन्तःपुरयुद्धारम्भः
Bāṇāsura’s Wrathful Command and the Onset of Battle at the Inner Palace
तस्मिंस्त्वदर्शनं प्राप्ते प्राद्युम्निरपराजितम् । आलोक्य ककुभस्सर्वास्तस्थौ गिरिरिवाचलः
tasmiṃstvadarśanaṃ prāpte prādyumniraparājitam | ālokya kakubhassarvāstasthau giririvācalaḥ
Quand son regard se posa sur cet adversaire invincible, Prādyumna scruta toutes les directions et demeura ferme, immobile tel une montagne.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: Perceptual uncertainty due to concealment (tirodhāna) expressed as searching the quarters.
FAQs
It highlights the Shaiva ideal of acalatva—inner steadiness. Even before an “unconquered” force, the noble mind does not collapse into fear; it becomes firm like a mountain, reflecting disciplined awareness rather than agitation.
The Linga symbolizes the unmoving, stable Reality (Pati/Shiva) amid changing events. Prādyumna’s mountain-like composure mirrors the devotee’s practice of holding the mind steady in Saguna Shiva’s presence, letting Shiva’s stability govern one’s response.
A practical takeaway is dhyāna on stillness: sit facing any direction, steady the gaze and breath, and repeat the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to cultivate the same unmoving firmness described in the verse.