Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 44
तारकवाक्य-शक्रविष्णुवीरभद्रयुद्धवर्णनम् — Account of Tāraka’s declarations and the battle involving Śakra (Indra), Viṣṇu, and Vīrabhadra
चक्रप्रहाराभितो निपपात क्षितौ हि सः । पुनरुत्थाय दैत्येन्द्रशक्त्या विष्णुं जघान तम्
cakraprahārābhito nipapāta kṣitau hi saḥ | punarutthāya daityendraśaktyā viṣṇuṃ jaghāna tam
Von den Schlägen des Diskus ringsum getroffen, stürzte er wahrlich zur Erde. Dann erhob sich der Fürst der Daityas wieder und traf jenen Viṣṇu mit der Speerwaffe Śakti.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights the instability of purely martial power—victory and defeat alternate—nudging the listener toward Shaiva Siddhanta’s emphasis that liberation comes not from force but from the grace of Pati (Śiva) and right alignment of the soul (paśu) beyond egoic struggle.
Even when great deities engage in battle, the Purana’s larger arc points devotees to steadiness in Saguna worship—taking refuge in Śiva’s auspicious form (including the Liṅga) as the stable spiritual center amidst worldly conflict and change.
A practical takeaway is to cultivate inner steadiness through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and devotional remembrance, rather than identifying with the turbulence of conflict; if performing worship, offer bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and maintain a calm, surrendered mind.