Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 1
हिरण्यनेत्रस्य तपः — Hiraṇyanetra’s Austerity and the Boon
सनत्कुमार उवाच । ततो हिरण्याक्षसुतः कदाचित्संश्रावितो नर्मयुतैर्मदांधैः । तैर्भ्रातृभिस्संप्रयुतो विहारे किमंध राज्येन तवाद्य कार्यम्
sanatkumāra uvāca | tato hiraṇyākṣasutaḥ kadācitsaṃśrāvito narmayutairmadāṃdhaiḥ | tairbhrātṛbhissaṃprayuto vihāre kimaṃdha rājyena tavādya kāryam
سنَتکُمار نے کہا—پھر ایک بار ہِرنیاکش کے بیٹے نے، نشے میں اندھے اور ہنسی مذاق میں لگے بھائیوں کے ساتھ کھیلتے ہوئے، ان کی بات سنی—“اے اندھے! آج تجھے راج سے کیا کام؟”
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It highlights how arrogance and intoxication distort discernment; in Shaiva terms, such delusion is a form of pāśa (bondage) that pulls beings away from right understanding and toward downfall.
Though the verse is narrative, it sets up the contrast between worldly power and true refuge; Saguna Shiva (as the compassionate Lord and judge of karma) is the ultimate authority before whom pride in “kingdom” becomes meaningless.
A practical takeaway is to counter intoxication of ego with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and a daily discipline of humility—approaching Shiva with reverence rather than self-importance.