Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 65
हिरण्यनेत्रस्य तपः — Hiraṇyanetra’s Austerity and the Boon
क्वाहं च शस्त्राणि च दारुणानि मृत्योश्च संत्रासकरं क्व युद्ध । क्व वीरको वानरवक्त्रतुल्यो निशाचरो जरसा जर्जरांगः
kvāhaṃ ca śastrāṇi ca dāruṇāni mṛtyośca saṃtrāsakaraṃ kva yuddha | kva vīrako vānaravaktratulyo niśācaro jarasā jarjarāṃgaḥ
मैं कौन, और ये भयानक शस्त्र क्या? यह युद्ध कैसा है जो मृत्यु को भी भयभीत कर दे? और यह वीरक कौन—वानर-मुख-सा निशाचर, जरा से जर्जर अंगों वाला?
Vīraka (a niśācara/rākṣasa warrior), speaking in despair/self-deprecation within the battle narrative as narrated by Sūta
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It dramatizes the collapse of pride: confronted with fear and mortality, the being recognizes his frailty. In Shaiva thought, such disillusionment (vairāgya) becomes a doorway to seeking refuge in Śiva, the Lord beyond death.
The verse highlights the limits of strength and weapons; hence devotees turn to Saguna Śiva—worshiped as the Liṅga—as the stable refuge (āśraya) when worldly supports fail and death looms.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with contemplation on impermanence (mṛtyu-smaraṇa), along with simple Śiva-upacāras like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as reminders of surrender.