Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 35
अन्धकादिदैत्ययुद्धे वीरकविजयः — Vīraka’s Victory over Andhaka’s Forces
याक्षेश्वरी तीक्ष्णमुखा विरूपा नखायुधा नागभयंकरी च । एतास्तथान्याश्शतशो हि देव्यः सुनिर्गताः संकुलयुद्धभूमिम्
yākṣeśvarī tīkṣṇamukhā virūpā nakhāyudhā nāgabhayaṃkarī ca | etāstathānyāśśataśo hi devyaḥ sunirgatāḥ saṃkulayuddhabhūmim
Yakṣeśvarī, Tīkṣṇamukhā, Virūpā, Nakhāyudhā et Nāgabhayaṅkarī—ainsi que des centaines d’autres déesses—jaillirent de toutes parts, déferlant sur le champ de bataille encombré et compact.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Caṇḍikā
Role: destructive
FAQs
It portrays the dynamic power (Śakti) of the Shaiva tradition: when adharma swells, divine energies manifest in many forms to restore order. In Shaiva Siddhanta, this highlights that the Lord’s grace operates through His powers, protecting devotees and re-establishing dharma.
The many named goddesses represent Saguna expressions of Shiva’s operative power. Linga-worship centers on Shiva as the supreme Pati, while this verse shows His accessible, active presence through Śakti—fierce yet protective—within the world’s struggles.
A practical takeaway is to seek Shiva’s protection through regular japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and devotional remembrance of Shiva-Śakti, especially during fear or conflict; this aligns the mind with grace and steadiness.