Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 35
अन्धकादिदैत्ययुद्धे वीरकविजयः — Vīraka’s Victory over Andhaka’s Forces
याक्षेश्वरी तीक्ष्णमुखा विरूपा नखायुधा नागभयंकरी च । एतास्तथान्याश्शतशो हि देव्यः सुनिर्गताः संकुलयुद्धभूमिम्
yākṣeśvarī tīkṣṇamukhā virūpā nakhāyudhā nāgabhayaṃkarī ca | etāstathānyāśśataśo hi devyaḥ sunirgatāḥ saṃkulayuddhabhūmim
যাক্ষেশ্বরী, তীক্ষ্ণমুখা, বিরূপা, নখায়ুধা ও নাগভয়ঙ্করী—এবং এমন আরও শত শত দেবী—ঘনসঙ্কুল যুদ্ধভূমিতে প্রবল বেগে বেরিয়ে এলেন।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Caṇḍikā
Role: destructive
FAQs
It portrays the dynamic power (Śakti) of the Shaiva tradition: when adharma swells, divine energies manifest in many forms to restore order. In Shaiva Siddhanta, this highlights that the Lord’s grace operates through His powers, protecting devotees and re-establishing dharma.
The many named goddesses represent Saguna expressions of Shiva’s operative power. Linga-worship centers on Shiva as the supreme Pati, while this verse shows His accessible, active presence through Śakti—fierce yet protective—within the world’s struggles.
A practical takeaway is to seek Shiva’s protection through regular japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and devotional remembrance of Shiva-Śakti, especially during fear or conflict; this aligns the mind with grace and steadiness.