Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 9
अनिरुद्धापहरणानन्तरं कृष्णस्य शोणितपुरगमनम् तथा रुद्रकृष्णयुद्धारम्भः | After Aniruddha’s Abduction: Kṛṣṇa Marches to Śoṇitapura and the Rudra–Kṛṣṇa Battle Begins
बाणार्थे भगवान् रुद्रस्ससुतः प्रमथैर्वृतः । आरुह्य नन्दिवृषभं युद्धं कर्त्तुं समाययौ
bāṇārthe bhagavān rudrassasutaḥ pramathairvṛtaḥ | āruhya nandivṛṣabhaṃ yuddhaṃ karttuṃ samāyayau
बाणाच्या हितासाठी भगवान रुद्र पुत्रासह प्रमथांनी वेढलेला, नंदीवृषभावर आरूढ होऊन युद्धास येऊन पोहोचला।
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; Rudra’s appearance is as protector of his devotee Bāṇa, illustrating īśvara’s readiness to intervene for the paśu bound by loyalty and pāśa.
Significance: Didactic significance: exemplifies Rudra’s bhakta-vātsalya (protective grace) even within cosmic conflict; encourages śaraṇāgati to Śiva.
Role: liberating
FAQs
It shows Śiva as Pati—the compassionate Lord who actively protects and upholds those connected to him; his mounting Nandi signifies dharma and steady divine governance even amid conflict.
Though the Liṅga points to Śiva’s transcendent reality, this verse highlights Saguna Śiva—personally present, approachable, and responsive—encouraging devotees to worship with bhakti while remembering the formless truth behind the form.
Contemplate Śiva with Nandi as the emblem of unwavering devotion and steadiness; japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a calm, resolute mind is the practical takeaway.