Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 32
युद्धप्रारम्भवर्णनम् — Description of the Commencement of Battle
देवा दृष्ट्वा समायान्तं तारकं युद्धदुर्मदम् । योद्धुकामं तदा सद्यो ययुश्शक्रादयस्तदा । बभूवाथ महोन्नादस्सेनयोरुभयोरपि
devā dṛṣṭvā samāyāntaṃ tārakaṃ yuddhadurmadam | yoddhukāmaṃ tadā sadyo yayuśśakrādayastadā | babhūvātha mahonnādassenayorubhayorapi
युद्धाच्या मदाने उन्मत्त असा तारक येताना पाहून, शक्र (इंद्र) आदी देव त्या वेळीच युद्धेच्छेने त्वरित पुढे सरसावले. मग दोन्ही सैन्यांतून प्रचंड गर्जना उठली.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It portrays the clash between deva-nature (dharma-oriented order) and asuric pride inflated by power. In a Shaiva Siddhanta reading, Tāraka’s “battle-intoxication” reflects egoic bondage that cannot be finally subdued by mere force—divine grace and right alignment with Pati (Śiva) are essential.
Though the verse is martial, its context in the Kumārakhaṇḍa points toward Śiva’s saguna compassion expressed through divine agency (eventually Skanda). Linga-worship centers the devotee in Śiva as the supreme protector and remover of asuric obstacles, reminding that victory is rooted in surrender and grace, not only strategy.
A practical takeaway is to cultivate steadiness before inner “battle-noise” (restlessness and pride) by japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and, if aligned with tradition, wearing Rudrākṣa and applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) to remember Śiva while facing conflict.