Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 32
जलंधरयुद्धे मायाप्रयोगः — Jalandhara’s Māyā in the Battle with Śiva
हंतुं चराचरं सर्वं समर्थोऽहं सवासवम् । को महेश्वर मद्बाणैरभेद्यो भुवनत्रये । बालभावेन भगवांतपसैव विनिर्जितः । ब्रह्मा बलिष्ठः स्थाने मे मुनिभिस्सुरपुंगवैः
haṃtuṃ carācaraṃ sarvaṃ samartho'haṃ savāsavam | ko maheśvara madbāṇairabhedyo bhuvanatraye | bālabhāvena bhagavāṃtapasaiva vinirjitaḥ | brahmā baliṣṭhaḥ sthāne me munibhissurapuṃgavaiḥ
“Aku mampu memusnahkan segala yang bergerak dan yang tidak bergerak—bahkan bersama Indra dan para dewa. Wahai Maheśvara, siapakah dalam tiga alam yang tidak dapat ditembusi oleh anak panahku? Sesungguhnya, bahkan Sang Tuan (Brahmā) pun telah kutundukkan dengan tapa, seolah-olah permainan kanak-kanak semata. Brahmā, walau dianggap paling kuat, tetap berdiri pada tempatnya kerana aku—(dengan sokongan) para resi dan dewa-dewa yang terunggul.”
An arrogant warrior (asura-like opponent) addressing Lord Śiva as Maheśvara in the Yuddhakhaṇḍa battle narrative
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
The verse highlights ahaṅkāra (spiritual pride): power, weapons, and even tapas become bondage when used to boast against Maheśvara; Śiva’s supremacy is not merely martial but metaphysical—He is Pati, beyond the three worlds.
Calling Śiva “Maheśvara” in a challenge contrasts human/asuric confidence with Saguna Śiva as the accessible Lord who still transcends all worlds; Linga-worship disciplines ego, turning power-seeking into surrender and devotion.
A practical takeaway is ego-purification through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with vibhūti (Tripuṇḍra) remembrance—offering one’s strength and achievements to Śiva rather than claiming them as “mine.”