Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 37
भद्रस्य देवसंघेषु विक्रमः
Bhadra’s Onslaught among the Deva Hosts
महाभयस्खलत्पादं वेपन्तं विगतत्विषम् । मृगरूपेण धावन्तं विशिरस्कं तदाकरोत्
mahābhayaskhalatpādaṃ vepantaṃ vigatatviṣam | mṛgarūpeṇa dhāvantaṃ viśiraskaṃ tadākarot
Accablé d’une grande terreur—les pieds chancelants, le corps tremblant, l’éclat éteint—il s’enfuit sous forme de cerf; et, à l’instant même, la puissance de Śiva le rendit sans tête.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Kālāntaka
Role: destructive
FAQs
It portrays the collapse of worldly power before Pati (Lord Shiva): when the pashu (bound soul) is seized by fear and loses its inner radiance, Shiva’s śakti can abruptly cut down arrogance and bondage, forcing a turning toward dharma and liberation.
The verse emphasizes Saguna Shiva as the immediate Lord of karma and grace—protector and chastiser—whom devotees approach through Linga-worship to seek purification, fearlessness, and the removal of pāśas (bondages).
A practical takeaway is to cultivate fearlessness through Shiva-bhakti: daily remembrance of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with humility, along with disciplines like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and japa to weaken ego and karmic bondage.