Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 14
देवदैत्यसामान्ययुद्धवर्णनम् — Description of the General Battle Between Devas and Daityas
सोपि शक्त्या वीरभद्रं जघान समरे ततः । तारको दितिजाधीशः प्रबलो वीरसंमतः
sopi śaktyā vīrabhadraṃ jaghāna samare tataḥ | tārako ditijādhīśaḥ prabalo vīrasaṃmataḥ
Kemudian dalam pertempuran itu, dia juga memukul Vīrabhadra dengan lembingnya (śakti). Tāraka—penguasa kaum Daitya—amat perkasa dan termasyhur dalam kalangan para wira.
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
It depicts the rise of adharma as formidable and ‘heroic’ in worldly terms, yet still within Shiva’s cosmic order—reminding devotees that power without alignment to Pati (Shiva) becomes demonic pride and is ultimately overcome by divine dharma.
Though the verse is martial, it supports Saguna Shiva-bhakti by portraying Shiva’s sphere—his gaṇas and divine agencies—operating in history; remembering such līlās strengthens devotion to the manifest Lord who protects dharma and guides beings toward grace.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) for steadiness in inner ‘battle,’ along with Tripuṇḍra-bhasma remembrance of impermanence, converting fear and aggression into disciplined devotion.