Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 31
देवदैत्यसामान्ययुद्धवर्णनम् — Description of the General Battle Between Devas and Daityas
पुनः पुनश्चैव बभूव संगरो महोत्कटो दैत्यवरैर्गणानाम् । प्रहर्षमाणाः परमास्त्रकोविदास्तदा गणास्ते जयिनो बभूवुः
punaḥ punaścaiva babhūva saṃgaro mahotkaṭo daityavarairgaṇānām | praharṣamāṇāḥ paramāstrakovidāstadā gaṇāste jayino babhūvuḥ
Wieder und wieder erhob sich ein überaus schrecklicher Kampf zwischen Śivas Gaṇas und den Vornehmsten unter den Daityas. Voll Freude und höchst kundig im Gebrauch göttlicher Waffen wurden jene Gaṇas damals siegreich.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
The repeated, fierce conflict symbolizes the recurring struggle between dharma and adharma; Shiva’s Gaṇas—empowered by the Lord—ultimately prevail, indicating that Pati (Shiva) safeguards cosmic order and guides souls away from bondage.
Though the verse is martial, it reflects Saguna Shiva’s active grace: the Lord’s manifested power supports His attendants and devotees. Linga-worship honors that same protective, sustaining presence of Shiva as Pati in the world.
A practical takeaway is steadfast japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) for courage and inner victory, supported by Shaiva disciplines like applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and maintaining devotion during life’s repeated ‘battles.’