Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 5
देवदैत्यसामान्ययुद्धवर्णनम् — Description of the General Battle Between Devas and Daityas
अन्येऽपि निर्जरा दैत्यैर्युद्ध्यमानाः पराजिताः । असहंतो हि तत्तेजः पलायनपरायणाः
anye'pi nirjarā daityairyuddhyamānāḥ parājitāḥ | asahaṃto hi tattejaḥ palāyanaparāyaṇāḥ
Para dewa abadi lainnya pun, ketika bertempur melawan para Daitya, turut dikalahkan. Tak sanggup menahan kedahsyatan sinar dan daya itu, mereka pun hanya berniat melarikan diri.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse highlights that even the Devas can be overcome when confronted with overwhelming tejas; in a Shaiva Siddhanta reading, it points to the limitation of all finite powers and the need for refuge in Pati (Lord Shiva), the ultimate source of strength and protection.
When divine beings themselves are shaken and turn to flight, the narrative implicitly teaches śaraṇāgati (seeking refuge). Linga/Saguna Shiva worship is the accessible means of taking refuge in Shiva’s grace, by which fear and defeat are transcended.
The takeaway is to cultivate śaraṇāgati through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and steady bhakti; in times of fear or instability, this Shiva-centered remembrance is the practical ‘refuge’ implied by the scene.