Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
बाणासुरस्य शङ्करस्तुतिः तथा युद्धयाचनम् | Bāṇāsura’s Praise of Śiva and Petition for Battle
अथ दैवात्कदाचित्स स्वयं भग्नं ध्वजं च तम् । दृष्ट्वा तत्रासुरो बाणो हृष्टो युद्धाय निर्ययौ
atha daivātkadācitsa svayaṃ bhagnaṃ dhvajaṃ ca tam | dṛṣṭvā tatrāsuro bāṇo hṛṣṭo yuddhāya niryayau
പിന്നീട് ദൈവയോഗത്താൽ ഒരിക്കൽ ആ ധ്വജം സ്വയം തകർന്നതായി കണ്ടു. അവിടെ അത് കണ്ട അസുരൻ ബാണൻ ഹർഷിതനായി യുദ്ധത്തിനായി പുറപ്പെട്ടു.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Cosmic Event: daiva (providential sign): self-breaking banner as nimitta/utpāta
FAQs
The verse highlights how outward signs and “fate” (daiva) can stir the egoic mind: Bāṇa interprets an apparent advantage (a broken banner) as a cause for triumph, showing how asuric consciousness turns omens into fuel for pride rather than humility before Pati (Śiva), the true Lord of outcomes.
In the Yuddhakhaṇḍa setting, events unfold under the governance of Saguna Śiva—Śiva as the Lord who regulates karma, time, and the rise and fall of power. The asura’s excitement contrasts with the devotee’s stance in Linga worship: surrendering results to Śiva rather than being driven by omens and victory-lust.
A practical takeaway is to meet changing signs of fortune with steadiness: repeat the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and apply Tripuṇḍra-bhasma as a reminder that all worldly banners fall, while devotion to Śiva alone leads the mind toward restraint and clarity.