Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 40
तारकवाक्य-शक्रविष्णुवीरभद्रयुद्धवर्णनम् — Account of Tāraka’s declarations and the battle involving Śakra (Indra), Viṣṇu, and Vīrabhadra
हाहाकारो महानासीत्पतिते च पुरंदरे । सेनायां निर्जराणां हि तद्दृष्ट्वा क्लेश आविशत्
hāhākāro mahānāsītpatite ca puraṃdare | senāyāṃ nirjarāṇāṃ hi taddṛṣṭvā kleśa āviśat
પુરંદર (ઇન્દ્ર) પડતાં જ મહાન હાહાકાર થયો. તે જોઈ અમર દેવોની સેનામાં ક્લેશ અને વ્યાકુળતા છવાઈ ગઈ.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Sthala Purana: Not a shrine-origin; it is the devas’ psychological collapse when their leader falls—an instance of ‘concealment’ (tirodhāna) where divine pride is veiled by fear and grief.
Significance: Teaches that even ‘deathless’ devas are vulnerable to kleśa; encourages seeking mokṣa through Śiva rather than heavenly security.
FAQs
It highlights the fragility of worldly power—even Indra can fall—while showing how collective fear (kleśa) spreads when consciousness is not anchored in the Supreme Pati, Lord Shiva. The verse nudges the seeker toward steadiness through devotion and discernment rather than dependence on status or might.
The devas’ distress after Indra’s fall illustrates why Shaiva tradition turns to Saguna Shiva—worship of the Linga as the stable refuge—when cosmic order trembles. In the Purana’s narrative logic, protection and restoration come through approaching Shiva with bhakti and surrender, not merely through celestial authority.
A practical takeaway is to counter kleśa with japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and steadying practices like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) remembrance of impermanence; these cultivate fearlessness and inner refuge in Shiva during crisis.