Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 9
अध्याय ३८ — काली-शंखचूड-युद्धे अस्त्रप्रयोगः
Kālī and Śaṅkhacūḍa: Mantra-Weapons and Surrender in Battle
निवृत्तिं प्राप तच्छ्स्त्रं दृष्ट्वा नम्रं च दानवम् । ब्रह्मास्त्रमथ सा देवी चिक्षेप मंत्रपूर्वकम्
nivṛttiṃ prāpa tacchstraṃ dṛṣṭvā namraṃ ca dānavam | brahmāstramatha sā devī cikṣepa maṃtrapūrvakam
നമ്രനായ ദാനവനെ കണ്ടപ്പോൾ ആ അസ്ത്രം ഉപസംഹരിക്കപ്പെട്ടു; തുടർന്ന് ദേവി മന്ത്രപൂർവം ബ്രഹ്മാസ്ത്രം എറിഞ്ഞു।
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Significance: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; the focus is Devī’s mantra-empowered astric act as Śiva’s śakti executing divine order.
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse shows that true divine power is not mere aggression: when the opponent becomes humble, violence withdraws, and any further action is guided by mantra—symbolizing that Shakti operates under dharma and sacred restraint, not impulse.
Though set in a battle narrative, the principle is Shaiva: Saguna divinity (Devi/Shakti within Shiva’s cosmic order) acts through mantra and discipline. This mirrors Linga-worship where worship is not emotional force but regulated, mantra-led communion with Pati (Shiva) through sacred form.
It highlights mantra-pūrvaka practice—acting only after mantra-japa and inner recollection. A practical takeaway is disciplined japa (e.g., “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) before any major undertaking, aligning will with dharma rather than reactive emotion.