Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 17
भद्रस्य दिव्यरथारोहणं शङ्खनादश्च — Bhadra’s Divine Chariot-Ascent and the Conch-Blast
बाणोद्धारे भुजो ह्यस्य तूणीवदनसंगतः । प्रत्यदृश्यत वल्मीकं विवेक्षुरिव पन्नगः
bāṇoddhāre bhujo hyasya tūṇīvadanasaṃgataḥ | pratyadṛśyata valmīkaṃ vivekṣuriva pannagaḥ
矢を引き抜くとき、箙の口元に寄るその腕は、蟻塚から鎌首をもたげる蛇のように見え、まるで隙を探しているかのごとくであった。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
The verse uses a striking simile—an arm reaching into the quiver like a serpent from an anthill—to suggest alertness and viveka (discerning intelligence). In Shaiva Siddhanta, such wakeful discernment supports right action (dharma) while remaining oriented toward Pati (Shiva) as the inner ruler.
Though the verse is narrative and martial in imagery, it complements Saguna Shiva devotion by portraying disciplined, purposeful action. Linga-worship in the Shiva Purana repeatedly emphasizes that outward acts become sanctified when performed with steadiness, restraint, and remembrance of Shiva as the supreme Lord.
A practical takeaway is cultivating viveka and ekāgratā (one-pointed focus) during japa—especially the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—so the mind ‘reaches’ its aim without distraction, like the archer’s hand finding the arrow.