Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 46
देवदैत्यसामान्ययुद्धवर्णनम् — Description of the General Battle Between Devas and Daityas
सोऽपि दैत्यो महावीरस्तारकः परवीरहा । चिच्छेद सकलान्बाणान्स्वशरैर्निशितैर्द्रुतम्
so'pi daityo mahāvīrastārakaḥ paravīrahā | ciccheda sakalānbāṇānsvaśarairniśitairdrutam
Aquele poderoso Daitya Tāraka, matador dos heróis de seus inimigos, cortou rapidamente todas as flechas com suas próprias hastes afiadas.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Bhairava
FAQs
The verse highlights how mere valor and skill can appear invincible when driven by ego and hostility; in Shaiva understanding, such power lacks Śiva’s grace and therefore cannot lead to liberation—setting the stage for divine intervention through Skanda, the embodiment of Śiva’s purposeful power.
Tāraka’s prowess contrasts with Saguna Śiva’s protective sovereignty: worldly strength can deflect weapons, but only devotion to Śiva (often centered on the Liṅga) aligns one with the higher order (dharma) that ultimately prevails in the Purāṇic narrative.
As a takeaway, devotees may steady the mind in conflict by japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and by adopting Śiva-oriented discipline such as Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders to replace reactive force with inner surrender and clarity.