राहोर्विमोचनानन्तरं जलन्धरस्य सैन्योद्योगः — Rahu’s Aftermath and Jalandhara’s Mobilization
अथ कोलाहलं श्रुत्वा दैत्यनादसमुद्भवम् । चुक्रोधातिमहेशानो महालीलः खलांतकः
atha kolāhalaṃ śrutvā daityanādasamudbhavam | cukrodhātimaheśāno mahālīlaḥ khalāṃtakaḥ
Then, hearing the uproar that had arisen from the roaring of the Daityas, the supremely great Lord—Śiva, whose deeds are vast divine sport and who destroys the wicked—became wrathful.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Role: destructive
It shows Śiva as Pati (the sovereign Lord) who responds to adharma: His wrath is not ordinary passion but a protective, dharma-restoring force that removes destructive negativity and safeguards the cosmic order.
The verse emphasizes Saguna Śiva—Maheśvara acting through līlā in history. In Liṅga-worship, devotees approach this same Lord as the accessible, compassionate protector who destroys inner and outer wickedness (khalāntaka).
A practical takeaway is to take refuge in Śiva during turmoil by japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and contemplation of Śiva as khalāntaka—asking Him to dissolve anger, fear, and demonic tendencies within.