Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 39
युद्धप्रारम्भवर्णनम् — Description of the Commencement of Battle
अन्योन्यं स्पर्द्धमानास्तेऽमरा दैत्या महाबलाः । तस्मिन्देवासुरे युद्धे दुर्जया अभवन्मुने
anyonyaṃ sparddhamānāste'marā daityā mahābalāḥ | tasmindevāsure yuddhe durjayā abhavanmune
ఓ మునీ, ఆ మహాబలులైన దేవులు దైత్యులు పరస్పరం పోటీపడుచూ, ఆ దేవాసుర యుద్ధమున దుర్జయులై నిలిచిరి।
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
It portrays the intensification of the deva–asura struggle where sheer power makes both sides “difficult to conquer,” implying that worldly strength alone is unstable; in Shaiva understanding, lasting order is restored through alignment with Dharma and ultimately by the grace of Pati (Lord Shiva), not merely by brute force.
The verse sets the battlefield context that typically leads the Devas to seek refuge in Saguna Shiva—approaching the Lord through prayer and worship (often centered on the Shiva-linga) when conflict becomes irresolvable by their own might, emphasizing surrender (śaraṇāgati) and divine protection.
A practical takeaway is to adopt śaraṇāgati through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” coupled with calm, steady remembrance of Shiva when facing inner “battles” of ego and anger—seeking victory through dharmic discipline rather than mere force.