Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 8
युद्धप्रसङ्गः—देवगणयुद्धे शिवविष्णुसंयोगः / Battle Episode—Śiva–Viṣṇu Convergence in the Devas’ Conflict
छलेनैव च हंतव्यो नान्यथा हन्यते पुनः । इति बुद्धिं समास्थाय सैन्यमध्ये व्यवस्थितः
chalenaiva ca haṃtavyo nānyathā hanyate punaḥ | iti buddhiṃ samāsthāya sainyamadhye vyavasthitaḥ
«C’est par la ruse seule qu’il doit être abattu; autrement, il ne peut être tué de nouveau.» Ayant affermi cette résolution, il demeura posté au milieu de l’armée.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kumārakhaṇḍa episode to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights buddhi (discerning resolve) as a dharmic instrument: when brute force fails, righteous intelligence and appropriate means (upāya) are employed to remove obstacles to dharma—reflecting Shiva’s governance where adharma is overcome through fitting measures.
Though the verse is martial in tone, it aligns with Saguna Shiva’s role as protector of dharma: devotees contemplate Shiva as the inner ruler who grants right discernment (buddhi) and the capacity to act effectively, while the Linga remains the stable symbol of that supreme, guiding presence.
A practical takeaway is buddhi-śuddhi through japa: repeat the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to steady the mind, then act with disciplined discernment; this supports choosing dharmic means rather than impulsive force.