Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 19
शिवस्य सैन्यप्रयाणम् तथा गणपतिनामावलिः (Śiva’s Mobilization for War and the Catalogue of Gaṇa Commanders)
काकपादः कोटिषष्ट्या षष्ट्या संतानकस्तथा । महाबलश्च नवभिः पञ्चभिर्मधुपिंगल
kākapādaḥ koṭiṣaṣṭyā ṣaṣṭyā saṃtānakastathā | mahābalaśca navabhiḥ pañcabhirmadhupiṃgala
সেনাপতি কাকপাদে ষাঠি কোটি সৈন্য আগবঢ়ালে; সন্তাণকেও তেনেদৰে ষাঠি কোটিৰ অধিপতি। মহাবল নৱ কোটিৰ, আৰু মধুপিঙ্গল পাঁচ কোটিৰ দলে নেতৃত্ব দিলে।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
It emphasizes that even vast worldly power—armies counted in crores—remains a measurable, finite force, while Shiva (Pati) alone is the immeasurable refuge; thus the narrative frames conflict as subordinate to divine sovereignty.
By cataloging commanders and divisions, the text highlights the limits of organized might; in Shaiva Siddhanta, this supports turning from reliance on external power to Saguna Shiva worship—Linga-sevā, mantra, and surrender—as the true protector and giver of grace.
A practical takeaway is to stabilize the mind during “inner battles” through japa of the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with rudrākṣa, and to maintain Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder of Shiva’s supremacy over all worldly forces.