Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 31
युद्धप्रारम्भवर्णनम् — Description of the Commencement of Battle
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे तत्र तारकाख्यो महाबलः । सैन्येन महता सद्यो ययौ योद्धुं सुरान् प्रति
etasminnantare tatra tārakākhyo mahābalaḥ | sainyena mahatā sadyo yayau yoddhuṃ surān prati
Cependant, en cet instant même, le très puissant nommé Tāraka, accompagné d’une vaste armée, partit aussitôt vers ce lieu pour faire la guerre aux Devas.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It marks the surge of asuric power (Tāraka) moving outward as conflict, symbolizing how unchecked ego and ambition rush to oppose divine order; in Shaiva thought, such forces are ultimately subdued only by Shiva’s grace restoring dharma.
Though the verse is narrative, it supports the larger Shaiva frame: the Devas’ protection and the defeat of Tāraka unfold through Shiva’s saguna līlā—Shiva’s purposeful manifestation in time to re-establish cosmic balance.
A practical takeaway is to counter ‘inner Tāraka’ (anger, pride, restlessness) with steady japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and a disciplined, sattvic routine, invoking Shiva as Pati who loosens the bonds (pāśa).