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
സനത്കുമാരൻ പറഞ്ഞു—അപ്പോൾ ദൂതൻ പോയ ശേഷം, പ്രതാപവാനായ ശംഖചൂഡൻ അന്തഃപുരത്തിലേക്ക് ചെന്നു തുളസിയോട് ആ വാർത്ത പറഞ്ഞു।
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.