Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 14
दुन्दुभिनिर्ह्रादनिर्णयः / Dundubhinirhrāda’s Stratagem: Targeting the Brāhmaṇas
निर्वेक्ष्यामि सुखान्येव राज्ये निहतकंटके । इति निश्चित्य दुर्बुद्धिः पुनश्चिंतितवान्खलः
nirvekṣyāmi sukhānyeva rājye nihatakaṃṭake | iti niścitya durbuddhiḥ punaściṃtitavānkhalaḥ
「今や、棘（敵と障碍）が断たれた王国にて、まことに安楽を享受しよう。」そう決めたのち、邪なる者、歪んだ知に囚われたその男は、再び思案し始めた。
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Yuddhakhaṇḍa episode to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights how a deluded intellect mistakes external victory—removing “thorns” like enemies—for true wellbeing. In a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, bondage (pāśa) primarily lies in inner impurity and ego; pleasure-seeking after conquest strengthens attachment and keeps the soul (paśu) from turning toward Shiva (Pati).
It contrasts worldly sovereignty with the higher refuge of Saguna Shiva worship: even a ‘secure’ kingdom cannot grant lasting peace. Linga-worship trains the mind to surrender pride and possessiveness, shifting the seeker from enjoyment-based identity to devotion and humility before Shiva.
A practical takeaway is to counter victory-pride with daily Shiva-smaraṇa and japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), ideally alongside Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and a brief self-inquiry: ‘Have my outer thorns been removed, or my inner ones—anger, greed, and ego?’