Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 36
देवपराजयः — शङ्करशरणागमनं स्कन्दकालीयुद्धं च | Devas’ Defeat, Refuge in Śaṅkara, and the Battle of Skanda and Kālī
काली गृहीत्वा तं क्रोडे निनाय शिवसन्निधौ । ज्ञानेन तं शिवश्चापि जीवयामास लीलया
kālī gṛhītvā taṃ kroḍe nināya śivasannidhau | jñānena taṃ śivaścāpi jīvayāmāsa līlayā
Kālī le prit sur ses genoux et le conduisit auprès de Śiva. Alors Śiva, par la puissance du jñāna, la connaissance spirituelle, le ranima sans effort, comme un simple jeu divin.
Sūta Gosvāmī (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Kālī
Role: liberating
FAQs
It portrays Śiva as Pati (the Supreme Lord) whose jñāna and grace can restore the bound soul from a death-like state of ignorance and suffering; Kālī’s act symbolizes Śakti leading the devotee into the saving presence of Śiva.
“Śiva’s presence” points to Saguna upāsanā—approaching the Lord in a tangible form (such as the Śiva-liṅga) where grace is received; the revival indicates the fruit of darśana, devotion, and surrender at the Lord’s abode.
A practical takeaway is to seek Śiva-sannidhi daily through pañcākṣarī japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and contemplative remembrance of Śiva’s jñāna as the inner light that revives the heart from tamas and despair.