Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 28
अन्धकादिदैत्ययुद्धे वीरकविजयः — Vīraka’s Victory over Andhaka’s Forces
स्त्रीभिस्सहस्रैश्च शतैरनेकैर्नेदुश्च कल्पांतरमेघघोषाः । भेर्य्यश्च संग्रामजयप्रदास्तु ध्मातास्सुशंखाः सुनितम्बिनीभिः
strībhissahasraiśca śatairanekairneduśca kalpāṃtarameghaghoṣāḥ | bheryyaśca saṃgrāmajayapradāstu dhmātāssuśaṃkhāḥ sunitambinībhiḥ
Alors, accompagnées de milliers de femmes et de bien des centaines encore, retentirent des clameurs pareilles au tonnerre des nuées à la fin d’un âge. On frappa les tambours de guerre qui donnent la victoire, et les conques de bon augure furent soufflées par les femmes aux hanches opulentes, élevant un tumulte triomphal tandis que les forces du Dharma s’élançaient sous la volonté souveraine de Śiva.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: destructive
Cosmic Event: kalpānta-megha-ghoṣa (end-of-age thunder imagery)
FAQs
The verse highlights nāda (sacred sound) as a dharmic power: conches and drums symbolize the awakening of courage and righteous resolve, with victory ultimately resting on Śiva as Pati—the supreme governor of all outcomes.
Though the scene is martial, it points to Saguna Śiva as the Lord who manifests order in the world; devotees remember that all power, glory, and victory are offerings to Śiva, whose presence is worshiped as the Liṅga—steadfast, victorious consciousness amid conflict.
It suggests nāda-upāsanā through mantra and auspicious sound—reciting the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” while maintaining inner steadiness; if practiced ritually, it pairs well with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of Śiva-centered discipline.