Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 37
भद्रस्य देवसंघेषु विक्रमः
Bhadra’s Onslaught among the Deva Hosts
महाभयस्खलत्पादं वेपन्तं विगतत्विषम् । मृगरूपेण धावन्तं विशिरस्कं तदाकरोत्
mahābhayaskhalatpādaṃ vepantaṃ vigatatviṣam | mṛgarūpeṇa dhāvantaṃ viśiraskaṃ tadākarot
شدید خوف سے اس کے قدم لڑکھڑا رہے تھے، بدن کانپ رہا تھا اور رونق ماند پڑ گئی تھی؛ وہ ہرن کی صورت میں بھاگ رہا تھا—اسی لمحے (شیو شکتی نے) اسے بے سر کر دیا۔
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Kālāntaka
Role: destructive
FAQs
It portrays the collapse of worldly power before Pati (Lord Shiva): when the pashu (bound soul) is seized by fear and loses its inner radiance, Shiva’s śakti can abruptly cut down arrogance and bondage, forcing a turning toward dharma and liberation.
The verse emphasizes Saguna Shiva as the immediate Lord of karma and grace—protector and chastiser—whom devotees approach through Linga-worship to seek purification, fearlessness, and the removal of pāśas (bondages).
A practical takeaway is to cultivate fearlessness through Shiva-bhakti: daily remembrance of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") with humility, along with disciplines like bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and japa to weaken ego and karmic bondage.