Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 19
तारक-कुमार-युद्धवर्णनम् / Description of the Battle between Tāraka and Kumāra
यथा सिंहो मदोन्मत्तो हंतुकामस्तथासुरम् । कुमारस्तारकं शक्त्या स जघान प्रतापवान्
yathā siṃho madonmatto haṃtukāmastathāsuram | kumārastārakaṃ śaktyā sa jaghāna pratāpavān
यथा सिंहो मदोन्मत्तो हन्तुकामः शत्रुं जघान, तथा प्रतापवान् कुमारः शक्त्या तारकासुरं जघान।
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
The verse portrays the decisive triumph of divine power over adharma: Kumāra, empowered by Shiva’s will, removes the obstructing force symbolized by Tāraka—like grace cutting down bondage so dharma can prevail.
Kumāra is the manifest (saguṇa) instrument of Shiva’s protection; devotion to Shiva—often centered on the Liṅga—acknowledges the Supreme Pati whose grace operates through such divine forms to restore cosmic order.
A practical takeaway is to seek Shiva’s protective grace through steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and disciplined worship (with bhasma/tripuṇḍra where customary), praying for the destruction of inner enemies like pride and delusion.