Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 22
अन्धकादिदैत्ययुद्धे वीरकविजयः — Vīraka’s Victory over Andhaka’s Forces
आच्छादितं वीरकमस्त्रजालैर्दैत्यैश्च सर्वैस्तु मुहूर्तमात्रम् । अपावृतं कर्तुमशक्यमासीन्निरीक्ष्य देवी दितिजान् सुघोरान्
ācchāditaṃ vīrakamastrajālairdaityaiśca sarvaistu muhūrtamātram | apāvṛtaṃ kartumaśakyamāsīnnirīkṣya devī ditijān sughorān
அனைத்து தைத்தியர்களின் அடர்ந்த ஆயுதவலையால் அந்த வீரன் ஒரு கணம் முழுதும் மூடப்பட்டான். மிகக் கொடூரமான திதிபுத்திரர்களைக் கண்டு, அந்த மூடியை அகற்றுதல் தேவிக்கு இயலாததாகத் தோன்றியது।
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Durgā
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: destructive
FAQs
It portrays how hostile forces can momentarily overwhelm even the heroic, yet the scene highlights the intensity of spiritual struggle and the need for divine grace (Shiva–Shakti) when obstacles become impossible to remove by ordinary effort.
In Shaiva practice, such overwhelming “nets of weapons” symbolize pasha (binding forces). Worship of Saguna Shiva through the Linga and devotion to Shiva with Shakti invokes protective grace that cuts through these bindings when personal strength is insufficient.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Panchakshara mantra (“Om Namah Shivaya”) with Tripundra (bhasma) and Rudraksha as supports for inner protection and resilience during periods of intense adversity.