Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 3
शिवदूतगमनानन्तरं शङ्खचूडस्य तुलसीसम्भाषणं युद्धप्रस्थान-तत्परता च / After Śiva’s Messenger Departs: Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Counsel with Tulasī and Readiness for War
सनत्कुमार उवाच । अथ दूते गते तत्र शंखचूडः प्रतापवान् । उवाच तुलसीं वार्तां गत्वाभ्यंतरमेव ताम्
sanatkumāra uvāca | atha dūte gate tatra śaṃkhacūḍaḥ pratāpavān | uvāca tulasīṃ vārtāṃ gatvābhyaṃtarameva tām
सनत्कुमार बोले—तब दूत के वहाँ से चले जाने पर, प्रतापवान शंखचूड़ भीतर अंतःपुर में गया और तुलसी से उस बात का वर्णन करने लगा।
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: No jyotirliṅga; the verse shifts to palace/inner-chamber counsel—an asuric strategy scene rather than kṣetra-māhātmya.
Significance: Narratively instructive: the ‘inner chamber’ (abhyaṃtara) symbolizes the inner mind where resolve is formed under pāśa; contrasts with turning inward for Śiva (which would lead to anugraha).
Shakti Form: Tara
Role: teaching
FAQs
It highlights how pivotal decisions in dharmic conflict are preceded by counsel and inner deliberation; moving “within” symbolizes turning from outward action to inward resolve before consequences unfold.
Though the verse is narrative, it sets the stage for the Yuddha-khaṇḍa where divine justice unfolds under Saguna Śiva’s governance—showing that worldly power and strategy ultimately move within the moral order upheld by Śiva.
A practical takeaway is inward recollection before action—pause, turn inward, and steady the mind with Śiva-smaraṇa such as silent japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) before making consequential decisions.