Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 12
देवदैत्यसामान्ययुद्धवर्णनम् — Description of the General Battle Between Devas and Daityas
उत्थाय स द्रुतं वीरस्तारको दैत्यसत्तमः । लब्धसंज्ञो बलाच्छक्त्या वीरभद्रं जघान ह
utthāya sa drutaṃ vīrastārako daityasattamaḥ | labdhasaṃjño balācchaktyā vīrabhadraṃ jaghāna ha
Rasch erhob sich der tapfere Tāraka—der Beste unter den Dānavas—und, wieder bei Bewusstsein, traf er Vīrabhadra mit großer Wucht mit seiner Speerwaffe (Śakti).
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
The verse highlights how asuric power can surge again even after a fall—symbolizing the returning force of ego (ahaṅkāra) and bondage (pāśa). In Shaiva Siddhanta, only the grace and governance of Pati (Śiva) ultimately subdue such forces; mere strength and reaction keep the conflict cycling.
Though the scene is martial, it points to Saguna Śiva’s protective order expressed through his attendants and manifestations like Vīrabhadra. Linga-worship trains the devotee to anchor the mind in Śiva as the supreme controller, so the inner ‘Tāraka’—restless, violent tendencies—does not dominate.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to regain inner ‘saṃjñā’ (clarity) without falling into forceful reactivity. If following Shiva Purana practice, combine japa with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and a brief meditation on Śiva as Pati who loosens pāśa (bondage).