Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 23
देवदैत्यसामान्ययुद्धवर्णनम् — Description of the General Battle Between Devas and Daityas
आनयंति च ये वीरास्स्वामिनं रणसंसदि । ते पापिनो महाक्लीबा विनश्यन्ति रणं गताः
ānayaṃti ca ye vīrāssvāminaṃ raṇasaṃsadi | te pāpino mahāklībā vinaśyanti raṇaṃ gatāḥ
Those warriors who, in the council of battle, bring forth and surrender their own lord to the enemy—such sinful men, utterly base and cowardly—go to the battlefield only to be destroyed.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
It condemns adharma—especially betrayal of one’s rightful lord—and teaches that such treachery destroys inner strength (dharma-bala) and leads to inevitable downfall, opposing the Shaiva ideal of steadfast devotion and righteous conduct.
In Shaiva understanding, Shiva as Pati (the true Lord) is the ultimate refuge; betraying one’s svāmin reflects a mind unfit for bhakti. Linga-worship trains loyalty, surrender, and integrity—qualities opposed to the betrayal described here.
Cultivate steadfastness through daily Panchākṣarī japa (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and Tripuṇḍra-bhasma dhāraṇa as a vow of dharma and devotion, strengthening resolve against fear and moral collapse.