Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 45
तारकवाक्य-शक्रविष्णुवीरभद्रयुद्धवर्णनम् — Account of Tāraka’s declarations and the battle involving Śakra (Indra), Viṣṇu, and Vīrabhadra
तेन शक्तिप्रहारेण पतितो भुवि चाच्युतः । करो महानासीच्चुक्रुशुश्चाऽतिनिर्जराः
tena śaktiprahāreṇa patito bhuvi cācyutaḥ | karo mahānāsīccukruśuścā'tinirjarāḥ
Frappé par ce coup de la śakti, Acyuta (Viṣṇu) tomba à terre. Un grand tumulte s’éleva, et les immortels sublimes poussèrent des cris de détresse.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It underscores the Shaiva view that even the greatest devas are subject to cosmic law; true refuge is the Supreme Lord (Pati), whose grace alone steadies the worlds when divine powers falter.
The verse highlights the limitations of embodied divine roles (like Acyuta’s avatāric function) and points the devotee toward Saguna Shiva as the accessible protector—often worshipped through the Linga as the stable center of divine presence.
In moments of fear or upheaval, take refuge in japa of the Panchākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and steady the mind with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) remembrance, cultivating surrender to Shiva’s protecting grace.