Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 63
गणेश-वाक्यं तथा गणानां समर-सन्नाहः | Gaṇeśa’s Challenge and the Mustering of the Gaṇas
पुरा चैव श्रुतं युद्धमिदानीं बहुधा पुनः । दृश्यते न श्रुतं दृष्टमीदृशं तु कदाचन
purā caiva śrutaṃ yuddhamidānīṃ bahudhā punaḥ | dṛśyate na śrutaṃ dṛṣṭamīdṛśaṃ tu kadācana
「昔より戦いのことは確かに聞き及んでおりましたし、今もまた様々に幾度となく耳にいたします。けれども、見聞のいずれにおいても、このような戦はかつて一度も—いつの時代にも—ありませんでした。」
Suta Goswami (narrating the extraordinary battle episode to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It highlights the uniqueness of a divinely-ordained conflict—implying that ordinary worldly wars cannot be compared to events that unfold under the governance of Pati (Shiva), where the deeper purpose is restoration of dharma and spiritual awakening rather than mere victory.
By stressing that such an event is beyond normal experience, the verse points the devotee toward Saguna Shiva’s sovereignty over cosmic events; worship of the Linga becomes a way to anchor the mind in the Lord who transcends and yet directs all visible and audible phenomena.
Contemplate Shiva as the inner ruler (Pati) behind all change and conflict, and steady the mind with japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—as a practical means to move from fascination with spectacle to devotion and inner detachment.