Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 41
बाणासुरस्य शङ्करस्तुतिः तथा युद्धयाचनम् | Bāṇāsura’s Praise of Śiva and Petition for Battle
तथा नरांस्तेषु वृष्णीञ्शूरमानकदुंदुभिम् । व्यलिखद्रामकृष्णौ च प्रद्युम्नं नरसत्तमम्
tathā narāṃsteṣu vṛṣṇīñśūramānakaduṃdubhim | vyalikhadrāmakṛṣṇau ca pradyumnaṃ narasattamam
Ebenso hob er unter jenen Menschen die Vṛṣṇis hervor—Śūra, Ānakadundubhi, dazu Rāma und Kṛṣṇa—und schrieb auch Pradyumna nieder, den Besten der Menschen.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
The verse highlights how even the greatest worldly heroes (renowned lineages like the Vṛṣṇis) are still participants in karmic battle and destiny, whereas Shaiva Siddhānta points beyond such transient power to surrender to Pati (Śiva) as the ultimate refuge.
Though the verse names heroic figures rather than describing Liṅga worship directly, the Yuddhakhaṇḍa context frames worldly might as secondary to divine sovereignty—encouraging devotees to seek stability in Saguna Śiva (worshipful Lord) and the Liṅga as the enduring center amid conflict.
A practical takeaway is steadiness through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) before undertaking any struggle, cultivating detachment and devotion rather than pride in strength.