Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 24
तुलसी-शङ्खचूडोपाख्यानम् — Viṣṇu’s Disguise and the Tulasī Episode
Prelude to Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Fall
रुद्रोऽपि तत्सहायार्थमाजगाम रणं प्रति । तेनाहं वै चिरं कालमयौत्संबलदर्पित
rudro'pi tatsahāyārthamājagāma raṇaṃ prati | tenāhaṃ vai ciraṃ kālamayautsaṃbaladarpita
তাঁকে সহায়তা করতে স্বয়ং রুদ্রও রণক্ষেত্রে উপস্থিত হলেন। তাই আমি শক্তির গর্বে উদ্ধত হয়ে দীর্ঘকাল যুদ্ধ আরম্ভ করিনি।
Suta Goswami (narrating the Yuddha-khaṇḍa account to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga narrative; emphasizes Rudra’s responsive intervention when invoked—grace expressed as protective participation in cosmic order.
Significance: Reinforces the fruit of invoking Śiva: when beings seek Śaṅkara, Rudra ‘comes toward the battle’—a mythic template for devotees seeking aid against inner enemies (kāma, krodha, ahaṅkāra).
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse highlights Rudra as the supreme protector of dharma who intervenes when needed, while also warning that bala-darpa (pride in one’s power) delays right action and obscures clear discernment—an obstacle on the path to Shiva’s grace.
Rudra appearing in the battlefield illustrates Saguna Shiva—Shiva with attributes—who becomes accessible to devotees and upholds cosmic order. Linga-worship trains the mind to shift from ego-centered agency to Shiva-centered surrender, making one receptive to such protecting grace.
A practical takeaway is to reduce bala-darpa through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” combined with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) remembrance and humble intention before action—offering one’s strength back to Rudra rather than taking pride in it.