Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 71
हिरण्यनेत्रस्य तपः — Hiraṇyanetra’s Austerity and the Boon
गृहीतखड्गो वरदानमत्तः प्रचंडवातानुकृतिं च कुर्वन् । गंतुं च तत्र स्मरबाणविद्धस्समुद्यतोऽभूद्विप रीतदेवः
gṛhītakhaḍgo varadānamattaḥ pracaṃḍavātānukṛtiṃ ca kurvan | gaṃtuṃ ca tatra smarabāṇaviddhassamudyato'bhūdvipa rītadevaḥ
Empunhando a espada, embriagado pela dádiva que recebera e imitando o ímpeto de um vento feroz, Viparītadeva—traspassado pelas flechas de Kāma—ergueu-se, pronto para ir até lá, ao campo de batalha.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights how a boon can inflate ego (ahaṅkāra) and how desire (kāma), symbolized by Smara’s arrows, becomes a pāśa (bondage) that drives beings into restless, wind-like agitation—contrary to the Shiva-centric path of inner stillness and surrender to Pati (Śiva).
In contrast to the demon’s outward force and desire-driven impulse, Saguna Shiva worship—especially Linga-upāsanā—trains the mind toward steadiness, humility, and devotion, transforming passion and pride into disciplined bhakti and remembrance of Śiva as the supreme refuge.
A practical takeaway is to counter kāma and arrogance through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with calm breath awareness, and to cultivate purity and restraint; if following Shiva Purana practices, one may also adopt Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of detachment and Śiva-smarana.