Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 51
शुक्रस्य जठरस्थत्वं तथा मृत्युशमनी-विद्या (Śukra in Śiva’s belly and the death-subduing vidyā)
तं भार्गवं प्राप्य गणाधिराजो मुखाग्निना शस्त्रशतानि दग्ध्वा । आयात्प्रवृद्धेऽसुरदेवयुद्धे भवस्य पार्श्वे व्यथितारिपक्षः
taṃ bhārgavaṃ prāpya gaṇādhirājo mukhāgninā śastraśatāni dagdhvā | āyātpravṛddhe'suradevayuddhe bhavasya pārśve vyathitāripakṣaḥ
Parvenu auprès de Bhārgava (Śukra), le seigneur des gaṇas de Śiva réduisit en cendres des centaines d’armes par le feu jailli de sa bouche. Puis, lorsque la guerre entre asuras et devas s’enflamma davantage, il vint se tenir aux côtés de Bhava, après avoir accablé les rangs ennemis.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It highlights Bhava (Śiva) as the supreme refuge (Pati): when conflict intensifies, divine power aligns with Śiva’s side, and hostile forces are pacified. The burning of weapons signifies the futility of ego-driven aggression before Śiva’s śakti.
Bhava is invoked here as Saguna Śiva—the accessible Lord who actively protects dharma. Linga-worship trains the devotee to take shelter in Śiva’s presence (bhāva), just as the gaṇa-chief comes to Bhava’s side in the height of battle.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) for inner fearlessness and protection, along with Tripuṇḍra-bhasma remembrance of Śiva’s purifying fire that burns hostile tendencies (kāma, krodha, ahaṅkāra).