Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
तारक-कुमार-युद्धवर्णनम् / Description of the Battle between Tāraka and Kumāra
विविधैर्घातपुंजैस्तावन्योन्यं विनि जघ्नतुः । नानामार्गान्प्रकुर्वन्तौ गर्जंतौ सुपराक्रमौ
vividhairghātapuṃjaistāvanyonyaṃ vini jaghnatuḥ | nānāmārgānprakurvantau garjaṃtau suparākramau
Par des salves de coups écrasants et variés, ces deux héros puissants se frappaient l’un l’autre sans relâche. Déployant maintes ruses et manières de combattre, ils rugissaient à pleine voix, tous deux pourvus d’une prouesse immense.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Kālāntaka
FAQs
It portrays the intensity of karmic conflict and heroic resolve within a divinely ordered narrative, reminding the seeker that power and strategy are secondary to alignment with Shiva (Pati) and dharma; outer battle mirrors the inner struggle against ignorance (pāśa).
Such battle scenes emphasize Saguna Shiva’s governance of the cosmos—where even wrath, valor, and victory operate under divine law—guiding devotees to take refuge in Shiva’s tangible worship (Liṅga, mantra, pūjā) for steadiness amid life’s conflicts.
The practical takeaway is to cultivate fearlessness and focus through Shiva-upāsanā—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and remembrance of Shiva before undertaking difficult duties, transforming agitation into disciplined strength.