Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 25
बाणासुरस्य क्रोधाज्ञा तथा अन्तःपुरयुद्धारम्भः
Bāṇāsura’s Wrathful Command and the Onset of Battle at the Inner Palace
कुंभांड उवाच । नैतत्कर्तुं समुचितं कर्म देव विचार्यताम् । अस्मिन्हते हतो ह्यात्मा भवेदिति मतिर्मम
kuṃbhāṃḍa uvāca | naitatkartuṃ samucitaṃ karma deva vicāryatām | asminhate hato hyātmā bhavediti matirmama
Kumbhāṇḍa dit : «Ô Deva, il n’est pas convenable d’accomplir cet acte ; je t’en prie, réfléchis-y. Car, selon mon entendement, si celui-ci est tué, c’est comme si l’ātman, le Soi même, était, pour ainsi dire, tué.»
Kumbhāṇḍa
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse highlights dharma-vicāra (ethical discernment): even amid conflict, one must reflect before acting, recognizing the gravity of harming embodied beings and the karmic-spiritual weight such actions carry.
By urging reflection and restraint, the verse aligns with Saguna Shiva as the upholder of dharma and compassion; Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana is repeatedly linked with inner purification, not mere outward victory.
The practical takeaway is to pause for vicāra (self-inquiry) and mantra-smaraṇa before decisive action—such as silently recalling “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” to steady the mind and act in accordance with dharma.