Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 8
दुन्दुभिनिर्ह्रादनिर्णयः / Dundubhinirhrāda’s Stratagem: Targeting the Brāhmaṇas
ब्राह्मणान्हंतुमसकृदन्वधावत वै ततः । दैत्यो दुन्दुभिनिर्ह्रादो देववैरी महाखलः
brāhmaṇānhaṃtumasakṛdanvadhāvata vai tataḥ | daityo dundubhinirhrādo devavairī mahākhalaḥ
ثم إنَّ ذلك الدَّيتيا الخبيث—دُندُبهي، الذي كان زئيره كقرع طبل الحرب وهو عدوٌّ للآلهة—اندفع مرارًا إلى الأمام قاصدًا قتلَ البراهمة.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: protective
FAQs
The verse highlights adharma as hostility toward Brāhmaṇas and the devas—symbolizing an assault on sacred knowledge and cosmic order—against which Shaiva tradition upholds protection of dharma under the Lord’s sovereign governance (Pati) over all beings.
In the battle narrative of the Rudrasaṃhitā, such demonic aggression sets the stage for divine intervention; devotion to Saguna Shiva (often centered on the Liṅga) is portrayed as refuge and alignment with dharma when destructive forces threaten the sanctity of worship and Vedic living.
The practical takeaway is dharmic protection through steady Shiva-bhakti—daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and maintaining purity with Tripuṇḍra-bhasma, as safeguards of mind and conduct amid hostile or chaotic influences.