Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 39
तारकवाक्य-शक्रविष्णुवीरभद्रयुद्धवर्णनम् — Account of Tāraka’s declarations and the battle involving Śakra (Indra), Viṣṇu, and Vīrabhadra
पतितोऽपि समुत्थाय शक्त्या तं प्राहरद्रुषा । पुरंदरं गजस्थं हि पातयामास भूतले
patito'pi samutthāya śaktyā taṃ prāharadruṣā | puraṃdaraṃ gajasthaṃ hi pātayāmāsa bhūtale
Bien qu’il fût tombé, il se releva avec vigueur et, dans sa colère, le frappa d’une lance ; en vérité, il fit choir Purandara (Indra), assis sur son éléphant, sur la terre.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Sthala Purana: Battle narration within the Kumārakhaṇḍa: Śiva’s śakti (power) manifests through Vīrabhadra to subdue Indra, illustrating the devas’ limited sovereignty under Śiva.
Significance: Cultivates vairāgya toward deva-power and confidence in Śiva as supreme refuge; reinforces that pride (ahaṅkāra) leads to downfall.
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: destructive
FAQs
It highlights steadfast effort and dharmic courage—rising even after a fall—showing how Shiva’s cosmic order is upheld through disciplined valor that subdues pride and restores balance.
The episode reflects Saguna Shiva’s governance of the cosmos: the Lord’s will manifests through divine agencies and warriors, reminding devotees that Linga-worship is devotion to the supreme Pati who regulates even the devas.
As a takeaway, cultivate steadiness after setbacks by daily japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined worship (archana), transforming anger into focused, dharmic resolve rather than ego-driven reaction.