Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 21
तारकवाक्य-शक्रविष्णुवीरभद्रयुद्धवर्णनम् — Account of Tāraka’s declarations and the battle involving Śakra (Indra), Viṣṇu, and Vīrabhadra
रामो भूत्वा हता नारी वाली विध्वंसितो हि सः । पुनर्वैश्रवणो विप्रौ हतो नीतिर्हता श्रुतेः
rāmo bhūtvā hatā nārī vālī vidhvaṃsito hi saḥ | punarvaiśravaṇo viprau hato nītirhatā śruteḥ
Haciéndose Rāma, una mujer fue muerta, y Vālī fue en verdad arruinado. Y de nuevo, como Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera), oh brāhmaṇas, el orden de la recta conducta fue abatido, y la autoridad de la sagrada śruti quedó, por así decir, herida.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya, within the Rudrasaṃhitā discourse)
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
The verse highlights how even celebrated worldly roles can appear to generate moral ambiguity; Shaiva teaching resolves this by urging reliance on Shiva as Pati (the supreme Lord) and on inner purity, rather than judging liberation solely by external outcomes.
When dharma (nīti) seems conflicted in historical narratives, the Linga stands as the stable Saguna symbol of the Nirguna Lord—inviting devotees to anchor discernment and surrender in Shiva rather than in shifting worldly interpretations.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with Tripuṇḍra-bhasma and Rudrākṣa, cultivating clarity (viveka) and devotion (bhakti) when ethical questions arise.