Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 10
शिवशङ्खचूडयुद्धवर्णनम् / Description of the Battle between Śiva and Śaṅkhacūḍa
तदंगेषु च शस्त्रोघैस्ताडयामास कोपतः । महारुद्रो विरूपाक्षो दुष्टदण्डस्सतां गति
tadaṃgeṣu ca śastroghaistāḍayāmāsa kopataḥ | mahārudro virūpākṣo duṣṭadaṇḍassatāṃ gati
Then, in wrath, Mahārudra—Virūpākṣa—struck his limbs with showers of weapons. He is the punisher of the wicked and the refuge and final course of the righteous.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
The verse presents Śiva as both Niyantā (divine governor) and Anugrahakartā (bestower of grace): he restrains adharmic forces (duṣṭa-daṇḍa) while remaining the ultimate refuge and goal for the virtuous (satāṃ gatiḥ).
Though the scene is martial, it points to Saguna Śiva—who acts within the world to protect dharma. Linga-worship trains the devotee to see the same Supreme Lord behind both fierce protection and compassionate refuge.
A practical takeaway is to take shelter in Śiva through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a dharmic intention—seeking inner purification so one moves from wicked tendencies toward sat (the virtuous path).