Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 21
देव-गण-समरः
Devas and Śiva’s Gaṇas Engage in Battle
लोकपाला ऊचुः । गुरो बृहस्पते तात महाप्राज्ञ दयानिधे । शीघ्रं वद पृच्छतो नः कुतोऽ स्माकं जयो भवेत्
lokapālā ūcuḥ | guro bṛhaspate tāta mahāprājña dayānidhe | śīghraṃ vada pṛcchato naḥ kuto' smākaṃ jayo bhavet
Para Lokapāla berkata: “Wahai Guru Bṛhaspati, wahai ayah terkasih—wahai maha-bijaksana, samudra welas asih—segeralah katakan kepada kami: dari sebab apakah kemenangan akan datang bagi kami?”
Lokapālas (Guardians of the Worlds)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
FAQs
It shows the devas adopting humility and seeking right counsel; in Shaiva thought, lasting “victory” arises from alignment with dharma and the grace of the Supreme (Pati), not merely force.
Though the verse is addressed to Bṛhaspati, the narrative framework of the Shiva Purana treats success as dependent on divine order and grace—fulfilled most directly through devotion to Saguna Shiva (Linga-worship) and surrender to his will.
The takeaway is to seek guidance and act quickly in dharmic ways; a Shaiva practitioner would pair this with daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and prayer for right discernment before undertaking action.