Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 14
अध्याय ३८ — काली-शंखचूड-युद्धे अस्त्रप्रयोगः
Kālī and Śaṅkhacūḍa: Mantra-Weapons and Surrender in Battle
स च वैष्णवमस्त्रं च चिक्षेप चंडिकोपरि । माहेश्वरेण काली च विनिवारं चकार सा
sa ca vaiṣṇavamastraṃ ca cikṣepa caṃḍikopari | māheśvareṇa kālī ca vinivāraṃ cakāra sā
সে চণ্ডিকার উপর বৈষ্ণব অস্ত্র নিক্ষেপ করল। কিন্তু কালী মাহেশ্বর শক্তির দ্বারা তা নিবৃত্ত ও নিষ্ফল করলেন।
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Caṇḍikā
Role: protective
FAQs
It illustrates the Shaiva Siddhānta emphasis that all powers operate under Pati (Śiva): even formidable divine forces are ultimately checked by Māheśvara-śakti, pointing to Śiva’s sovereign governance over cosmic energies.
The Māheśvara power that subdues the missile reflects Saguna Śiva’s protective rulership (anugraha and nigraha). In Linga-worship, devotees approach this same Lord as the stable center through which all śaktis are harmonized and brought to auspicious order.
A practical takeaway is to seek protection and steadiness through Śiva-upāsanā—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa—cultivating inner restraint (vinivāra) against disruptive forces.