Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 13
शिवदूतेन युद्धनिश्चयः तथा देवदानवयुद्धारम्भः (Śiva’s Envoy and the Commencement of the Deva–Dānava War)
गोकामुखेन चूर्णेन खड्गनाम्नाऽसुरेण च । धूम्रेण संहलेनापि विश्वेन च प्रतापिना
gokāmukhena cūrṇena khaḍganāmnā'sureṇa ca | dhūmreṇa saṃhalenāpi viśvena ca pratāpinā
ಗೋಕಾಮುಖ, ಚೂರ್ಣ, ಖಡ್ಗನಾಮಕ ಅಸುರ, ಧೂಮ್ರ, ಸಂಹಲ ಮತ್ತು ಪ್ರತಾಪಿ ವಿಶ್ವ—ಇವರೂ ಇತರ ಮಹಾಬಲ ಅಸುರರು; ಅಹಂಕಾರ ಮತ್ತು ಯುದ್ಧಶಕ್ತಿಯಿಂದ ಜ್ವಲಿಸುತ್ತಿದ್ದರು.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
This verse catalogs powerful asuras to emphasize that mere strength and fame, when driven by ego and hostility to dharma, become marks of bondage; Shaiva teaching highlights that true greatness is surrender to Pati (Śiva), not asuric pride.
In the Yuddhakhaṇḍa, the rise of asuric forces sets the stage for Saguna Śiva’s protective, world-ordering action; devotion to the Liṅga signifies taking refuge in Śiva as the supreme protector and inner ruler beyond the turmoil of conflict.
The practical takeaway is to counter ‘pratāpa’ (fiery ego-power) with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined humility; devotees may also adopt Tripuṇḍra-bhasma and Rudrākṣa as reminders of renunciation and Śiva-centered awareness.