Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 24
शिवदूतेन युद्धनिश्चयः तथा देवदानवयुद्धारम्भः (Śiva’s Envoy and the Commencement of the Deva–Dānava War)
गजास्तुरंगा बहवः स्यन्दनाश्च पदातयः । सारोहवाहा विविधास्तत्रासन् सुविखंडिताः
gajāsturaṃgā bahavaḥ syandanāśca padātayaḥ | sārohavāhā vividhāstatrāsan suvikhaṃḍitāḥ
Là, l’on voyait quantité d’éléphants et de chevaux, de chars et de fantassins; avec leurs cavaliers et montures de toutes sortes, tous étaient brisés et mis en pièces dans la mêlée.
Sūta Gosvāmī (narrating the battle account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
It portrays the collapse of worldly strength—armies, vehicles, and might—highlighting that material power is fragile before the higher will of Pati (Śiva); destruction here signifies the clearing of obstacles and the humbling of ego-bound force (pāśa).
In the Yuddhakhaṇḍa, Saguna Śiva’s governance is seen through events in the world: even vast forces are broken when opposed to dharma. Linga-worship trains the devotee to anchor in the unshaken Absolute while observing the transient rise and fall of worldly power.
The takeaway is vairāgya (detachment): remember impermanence while japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and steady the mind with Śiva-bhakti so one does not cling to status, strength, or victory.