Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 9
वृन्दायाः दुष्स्वप्न-दर्शनं तथा पातिव्रत्य-भङ्गोपक्रमः / Vṛndā’s Ominous Dreams and the Prelude to the Breach of Chastity
तदनिष्टमिदं ज्ञात्वा रुदंती भयविह्वला । कुत्रचिन्नाप सा शर्म गोपुराट्टालभूमिषु
tadaniṣṭamidaṃ jñātvā rudaṃtī bhayavihvalā | kutracinnāpa sā śarma gopurāṭṭālabhūmiṣu
ครั้นรู้ว่านี่เป็นลางร้าย นางก็ร่ำไห้และหวาดผวาจนสั่น แม้บนลานประตูและพื้นหอคอยยามอันสูงก็หาได้พบความสงบไม่
Suta Goswami (narrating the Rudra Saṃhitā account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights that when the mind is seized by भय (fear) and aniṣṭa (adversity), external strongholds and worldly protections cannot grant śarma (inner peace); lasting refuge is found by turning the consciousness toward Shiva, the Pati who alone dispels भय through grace.
It contrasts unstable outer shelter with true refuge: in Shaiva practice, approaching Saguna Shiva through the Liṅga (steady symbol of the eternal Pati) becomes the grounding center where agitation subsides and the devotee regains śānti.
A practical takeaway is to steady the mind with Panchākṣarī japa—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and, where appropriate, wear Rudrākṣa and apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as reminders of Shiva-refuge, especially during fear or crisis.