Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 20
शुक्रनिग्रहः — The Seizure/Neutralization of Śukra (Kāvya) and the Daityas’ Despondency
संप्रथार्येति तद्वाक्यं दैत्यास्ते दनुजास्तथा । ममंथुः प्रमथानाजौ रणभेरीं निनाद्य च
saṃprathāryeti tadvākyaṃ daityāste danujāstathā | mamaṃthuḥ pramathānājau raṇabherīṃ ninādya ca
Als sie jene Worte hörten — „Breitet euch aus, rückt in Schlachtordnung vor!“ — stürmten die Daityas und die übrigen aus Danu Geborenen sogleich heran, um die Pramathas im Kampf zu zermalmen, und ließen immer wieder die Kriegstrommel dröhnen.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
The verse portrays the surge of demonic forces against Śiva’s Pramathas, symbolizing the pressure of rajas and tamas against the Lord’s dharmic order; in Shaiva Siddhanta, steadfast alignment with Pati (Śiva) and His śakti overcomes such inner and outer opposition.
The Pramathas are attendants of Saguna Śiva—His manifest, protective presence in the world; remembering such episodes supports Linga-worship by strengthening devotion (bhakti) and trust that the Lord’s grace and guardianship prevail over hostile impulses.
Adopt a “battle-discipline” of daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and, if initiated, Rudrākṣa—treating distractions as the ‘enemy’ and returning the mind to Śiva with courage and steadiness.