Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 49
कैलासमार्गे शङ्करस्य परीक्षा — Śiva Tests the Approachers on the Kailāsa Path
समुद्भूतोऽनलो योऽयं भालनेत्रात्सुरेशहा । एनं त्यक्ष्याम्यहं दूरं यथेन्द्रं नैव पीडयेत्
samudbhūto'nalo yo'yaṃ bhālanetrātsureśahā | enaṃ tyakṣyāmyahaṃ dūraṃ yathendraṃ naiva pīḍayet
योऽयं भालनेत्रात् समुद्भूतोऽनलः सुरेशहा। एनं दूरं त्यक्ष्यामि यथेन्द्रं नैव पीडयेत्॥
Lord Vishnu (inferred, as the divine protector acting to prevent harm to Indra during the Yuddha narrative)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Nīlakaṇṭha
Role: destructive
FAQs
It highlights the irresistible potency of Shiva’s jñāna-śakti symbolized by the third eye—capable of dissolving even divine pride and impurity—while also showing that cosmic order is maintained through compassionate restraint and right placement of power.
The verse points to Saguna Shiva’s manifest power (the third eye) that protects and regulates the worlds; Linga worship similarly honors Shiva as the visible sign of the Infinite, whose energy both purifies and safeguards devotees when approached with reverence.
A practical takeaway is to meditate on Shiva’s third eye as inner discernment (viveka) while japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) is performed, seeking purification without aggression—directing one’s power inward to burn ignorance rather than harm others.