Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 18
अन्धकादिदैत्ययुद्धे वीरकविजयः — Vīraka’s Victory over Andhaka’s Forces
अत्यद्भुतं तत्र चकार युद्धं हित्वा तदा भोजनपाननिद्राः । रात्रिं दिवं पंचशतानि पंच क्रुद्धस्स सैन्यैस्सह वीरकेण
atyadbhutaṃ tatra cakāra yuddhaṃ hitvā tadā bhojanapānanidrāḥ | rātriṃ divaṃ paṃcaśatāni paṃca kruddhassa sainyaissaha vīrakeṇa
Là, il mena un combat des plus merveilleux, renonçant alors à la nourriture, à la boisson et au sommeil. Dans sa colère, il lutta avec ses armées et contre le héros Vīraka durant cinq cent cinq jours et nuits.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Cosmic Event: Mythic time dilation: 505 days/nights of continuous combat signals superhuman/daivic scale of conflict.
FAQs
The verse highlights fierce resolve and single-pointed commitment: abandoning comfort (food, drink, sleep) symbolizes tapas and unwavering niyama while fulfilling one’s dharma. In Shaiva thought, such intensity reflects the power of icchā-śakti and the momentum of karma in the battlefield of life.
Though the verse is martial, its inner teaching aligns with Saguna Shiva devotion: the devotee learns steadiness and surrender in action, offering one’s strength and time to the Divine. The Linga worship trains the same focus—turning all activity into an arpaṇa (offering) to Śiva.
A practical takeaway is disciplined japa and vrata: keep a fixed daily round of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” supported by simple austerity (moderate fasting or reduced sleep on holy days like Mahāśivarātri), and apply the same steadiness to one’s duties without agitation.