Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 24
युद्धप्रसङ्गः—देवगणयुद्धे शिवविष्णुसंयोगः / Battle Episode—Śiva–Viṣṇu Convergence in the Devas’ Conflict
गता दशदिशो देवास्सगणा परिघार्द्दिताः । न तस्थुस्समरे केपि तेनाद्भुतप्रहा रिणा
gatā daśadiśo devāssagaṇā parighārdditāḥ | na tasthussamare kepi tenādbhutaprahā riṇā
Meurtris par les coups de cet assaillant merveilleux, les devas, avec leurs suites, s’enfuirent vers les dix directions. Sur le champ de bataille, pas un seul ne put tenir ferme devant lui.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Kumārakhaṇḍa account to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
The verse highlights the limitation of even celestial power when confronted with a divinely empowered force. In a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, it points to the need for humility and reliance on Pati (Shiva’s supreme sovereignty) rather than pride in one’s own strength.
The devas’ inability to stand signifies that protection and victory arise from Shiva’s grace expressed through Saguna forms and divine agencies. Linga-worship trains the devotee in surrender to Shiva as the supreme refuge behind all manifestations and powers.
A practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati with japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and steadying the mind with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders that true strength is Shiva’s grace, not mere force.