Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 20
दीक्षितपुत्रस्य दैन्यचिन्ता तथा शिवरात्र्युपासनाप्रसङ्गः / The Initiate’s Son in Distress and the Occasion of Śivarātri Worship
यावद्भयात्समागत्य तावत्स पुररक्षकैः । पलायमानो निहतः क्षणादंधत्वमागतः
yāvadbhayātsamāgatya tāvatsa purarakṣakaiḥ | palāyamāno nihataḥ kṣaṇādaṃdhatvamāgataḥ
وہ خوف سے جیسے ہی قریب آیا، شہر کے پہرے داروں نے فوراً اسے گرا دیا؛ اور بھاگنے کی کوشش میں ہی وہ ایک لمحے میں نابینا ہو گیا۔
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Kālabhairava
Shakti Form: Kālī
Role: destructive
FAQs
It highlights how fear-driven, adharmic action quickly collapses under the force of dharmic order; in Shaiva understanding, when one turns from right conduct and inner clarity, the result is loss of discernment—symbolized here as sudden blindness.
The verse contrasts outer panic with inner steadiness; Saguna Shiva worship (Linga-upāsanā with bhakti) is taught across the Rudra Samhita as a means to gain śiva-jñāna (clear seeing) and protection from the darkness of delusion.
Cultivate steadiness through japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and disciplined dharma; the practical takeaway is to replace fear and flight with remembrance of Shiva and clarity of conduct.