Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 51
शिवस्तुतिवर्णनम् (Śiva-stuti-varṇanam) — “Description of Hymns in Praise of Śiva”
रथो नास्ति महादिव्यस्तादृक् सारथिना सह । धनुर्बाणादिकं चापि संग्रामे जयकारकम्
ratho nāsti mahādivyastādṛk sārathinā saha | dhanurbāṇādikaṃ cāpi saṃgrāme jayakārakam
പരമദിവ്യമായ ഒരു രഥവും ഇല്ല, അതിനൊത്ത സാരഥിയും ഇല്ല; ധനുസ്സും ബാണങ്ങളും മുതലായവയും യുദ്ധത്തിൽ ഉറപ്പായ ജയമുണ്ടാക്കുന്നവയല്ല।
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Yuddhakhaṇḍa account to the sages, contextually summarizing the limits of worldly martial aids)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
It teaches that external supports—vehicles, helpers, and weapons—are ultimately limited; real success depends on dharma and the Lord’s grace, pointing the seeker from worldly power toward surrender to Pati (Shiva).
By denying the final power of material instruments, the verse redirects faith to the supreme Lord who is worshiped as the Liṅga (the transcendent sign) and also as Saguna Shiva who bestows protection and victory when approached with devotion.
Cultivate reliance on Shiva through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) before undertaking difficult actions, and maintain a devotional attitude that places outcomes in Shiva’s hands rather than in mere equipment or skill.