Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 9
देवदैत्यसामान्ययुद्धवर्णनम् — Description of the General Battle Between Devas and Daityas
तदा ते प्रमथास्सर्वे दैत्याश्च परमोत्सवाः । युयुधुस्संयुगेऽन्योन्यं प्रसक्ताश्च महारणे
tadā te pramathāssarve daityāśca paramotsavāḥ | yuyudhussaṃyuge'nyonyaṃ prasaktāśca mahāraṇe
Kemudian semua Pramatha dan para Daitya, bersorak dalam kemuncak kegilaan perang, bertempur sesama sendiri dalam jarak dekat, bertaut rapat dalam pertempuran besar itu.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
The verse portrays the fierce clash between Śiva’s Pramathas and the Daityas, symbolizing the inner struggle where Shiva-aligned forces (dharma, devotion, discipline) confront asuric tendencies (ego, violence, delusion). In Shaiva Siddhanta, such conflict ultimately points to the soul’s need to turn toward Pati (Śiva) for purification and right order.
The Pramathas are attendants of Saguna Śiva—His manifest, active divine governance. Remembering Śiva through Linga-worship and devotion aligns the aspirant with Śiva’s śakti that subdues inner daityic impulses, even when life feels like a ‘great battle’.
A practical takeaway is to steady the mind in conflict by japa of the Panchākṣarī mantra ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and maintaining Śiva-sādhana such as Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa—disciplines traditionally held to strengthen sattva and devotion when facing agitation.