Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 31
देवदैत्यसामान्ययुद्धवर्णनम् — Description of the General Battle Between Devas and Daityas
पुनः पुनश्चैव बभूव संगरो महोत्कटो दैत्यवरैर्गणानाम् । प्रहर्षमाणाः परमास्त्रकोविदास्तदा गणास्ते जयिनो बभूवुः
punaḥ punaścaiva babhūva saṃgaro mahotkaṭo daityavarairgaṇānām | praharṣamāṇāḥ paramāstrakovidāstadā gaṇāste jayino babhūvuḥ
വീണ്ടും വീണ്ടും ശിവന്റെ ഗണങ്ങളുടെയും ദൈത്യശ്രേഷ്ഠന്മാരുടെയും ഇടയിൽ അത്യന്തം ഭീകരമായ യുദ്ധം ഉണ്ടായി. പരമാസ്ത്രപ്രയോഗത്തിൽ നിപുണരായ ആ ഗണങ്ങൾ ആനന്ദത്തോടെ അപ്പോൾ ജയികളായി.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
The repeated, fierce conflict symbolizes the recurring struggle between dharma and adharma; Shiva’s Gaṇas—empowered by the Lord—ultimately prevail, indicating that Pati (Shiva) safeguards cosmic order and guides souls away from bondage.
Though the verse is martial, it reflects Saguna Shiva’s active grace: the Lord’s manifested power supports His attendants and devotees. Linga-worship honors that same protective, sustaining presence of Shiva as Pati in the world.
A practical takeaway is steadfast japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) for courage and inner victory, supported by Shaiva disciplines like applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and maintaining devotion during life’s repeated ‘battles.’