Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 24
शिवदूतेन युद्धनिश्चयः तथा देवदानवयुद्धारम्भः (Śiva’s Envoy and the Commencement of the Deva–Dānava War)
गजास्तुरंगा बहवः स्यन्दनाश्च पदातयः । सारोहवाहा विविधास्तत्रासन् सुविखंडिताः
gajāsturaṃgā bahavaḥ syandanāśca padātayaḥ | sārohavāhā vividhāstatrāsan suvikhaṃḍitāḥ
ಅಲ್ಲಿ ಅನೇಕ ಆನೆಗಳು, ಕುದುರೆಗಳು, ರಥಗಳು, ಪಾದಾತಿಗಳು—ಅವರ ಸವಾರರು ಹಾಗೂ ವಿವಿಧ ವಾಹನಗಳೊಡನೆ—ಯುದ್ಧದಲ್ಲಿ ಸಂಪೂರ್ಣವಾಗಿ ಚೂರಾಗಿ ಚೂರಾಗಿ ಬಿದ್ದಿದ್ದರು.
Sūta Gosvāmī (narrating the battle account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
It portrays the collapse of worldly strength—armies, vehicles, and might—highlighting that material power is fragile before the higher will of Pati (Śiva); destruction here signifies the clearing of obstacles and the humbling of ego-bound force (pāśa).
In the Yuddhakhaṇḍa, Saguna Śiva’s governance is seen through events in the world: even vast forces are broken when opposed to dharma. Linga-worship trains the devotee to anchor in the unshaken Absolute while observing the transient rise and fall of worldly power.
The takeaway is vairāgya (detachment): remember impermanence while japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and steady the mind with Śiva-bhakti so one does not cling to status, strength, or victory.