Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 19
तारक-कुमार-युद्धवर्णनम् / Description of the Battle between Tāraka and Kumāra
यथा सिंहो मदोन्मत्तो हंतुकामस्तथासुरम् । कुमारस्तारकं शक्त्या स जघान प्रतापवान्
yathā siṃho madonmatto haṃtukāmastathāsuram | kumārastārakaṃ śaktyā sa jaghāna pratāpavān
যেমন মদোন্মত্ত সিংহ বধের অভিপ্রায়ে শত্রুকে নিপাত করে, তেমনই প্রতাপশালী কুমার তাঁর শক্তি দ্বারা তারকাসুরকে বধ করলেন।
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
The verse portrays the decisive triumph of divine power over adharma: Kumāra, empowered by Shiva’s will, removes the obstructing force symbolized by Tāraka—like grace cutting down bondage so dharma can prevail.
Kumāra is the manifest (saguṇa) instrument of Shiva’s protection; devotion to Shiva—often centered on the Liṅga—acknowledges the Supreme Pati whose grace operates through such divine forms to restore cosmic order.
A practical takeaway is to seek Shiva’s protective grace through steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and disciplined worship (with bhasma/tripuṇḍra where customary), praying for the destruction of inner enemies like pride and delusion.