Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 13
अन्धकादिदैत्ययुद्धे वीरकविजयः — Vīraka’s Victory over Andhaka’s Forces
उत्पाद्य दिव्यं परमाद्भुतं तु पुनर्वरं घोरतरं च गत्वा । तस्माद्व्रतं घोरतरं चरामि सुनिर्भयः सुन्दरि वै विशोका
utpādya divyaṃ paramādbhutaṃ tu punarvaraṃ ghorataraṃ ca gatvā | tasmādvrataṃ ghorataraṃ carāmi sunirbhayaḥ sundari vai viśokā
দিব্য আৰু পৰম অদ্ভুত বৰ লাভ কৰি, তাৰ পিছত আৰু অধিক ঘোৰ অৱস্থালৈ আগবাঢ়ি, সেয়ে মই আৰু ঘোৰতৰ ব্ৰত আচৰণ কৰোঁ—হে সুন্দৰী, মই সম্পূৰ্ণ নিৰ্ভয় আৰু নিঃশোক।
A warrior-figure in the Yuddhakhaṇḍa addressing a goddess-like interlocutor (contextually inferred as a female divine/royal figure; likely within Sūta’s narration to the sages)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Āghoramūrti
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse highlights the Shaiva ideal of undertaking steadfast vrata (disciplined observance) with nirbhayatā (fearlessness) and viśokatā (freedom from grief). In Shaiva Siddhānta terms, such disciplined resolve purifies the pashu (bound soul) and loosens pāśa (bondage), making the heart fit for Śiva’s grace.
A ‘ghora’ vrata is typically grounded in Saguna Śiva-upāsanā—worship with form—through regulated conduct, offerings, and remembrance. Such vows are traditionally performed with devotion to Śiva as the Lord who grants boons and also leads the devotee beyond fear and sorrow, culminating in deeper inward worship.
The verse suggests a firm vrata: maintaining disciplined conduct, japa, and mental steadiness despite fearful circumstances. In a Shiva Purana practice-frame, this can be supported by Panchākṣarī japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), wearing Rudrākṣa, and applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as aids to fearlessness and inner purity.