Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 7
बाणस्य शोकः शिवस्मरणं च — Bāṇa’s Grief and the Turn to Śiva-Remembrance
नन्दिवाक्यात्ततो बाणो द्विषा शीर्षकमात्रकः । शिवस्थानं जगामाशु धृत्वा धैर्यं महामनाः
nandivākyāttato bāṇo dviṣā śīrṣakamātrakaḥ | śivasthānaṃ jagāmāśu dhṛtvā dhairyaṃ mahāmanāḥ
Alors, prenant à cœur les paroles de Nandin, Bāṇa—bien que l’ennemi ne l’eût laissé qu’avec la seule tête—demeura ferme, rassembla son courage et, grand d’âme, se rendit promptement au séjour du Seigneur Śiva.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse frames Śiva’s abode as the refuge of the afflicted (śaraṇāgati), where even an asura approaches for grace after defeat.
Significance: General tīrtha-logic: turning toward Śiva (śivasthāna-gamana) after ego-collapse is presented as the first step toward anugraha (saving intervention).
FAQs
It highlights śaraṇāgati (taking refuge): even when one is broken by conflict and karma, remembering the Lord through the guidance of the guru-like devotee (Nandin) turns the mind toward Śiva’s abode, where grace restores and uplifts the bound soul (paśu) under the Lord (Pati).
Bāṇa’s movement toward “Śiva-sthāna” reflects turning to Saguna Śiva—the accessible Lord who receives devotees. In practice, this is mirrored by approaching the Śiva-liṅga with humility, seeking protection and purification through devotion rather than pride or power.
The takeaway is dhairya with bhakti: steady the mind and approach Śiva through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” ideally with vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as aids to remembrance and surrender.