Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 27
देवपराजयः — शङ्करशरणागमनं स्कन्दकालीयुद्धं च | Devas’ Defeat, Refuge in Śaṅkara, and the Battle of Skanda and Kālī
शक्तिं चिक्षेप सूर्याभां तस्य वक्षसि घातिनीम् । मूर्च्छामवाप सहसा तत्प्रहारेण स क्षणम्
śaktiṃ cikṣepa sūryābhāṃ tasya vakṣasi ghātinīm | mūrcchāmavāpa sahasā tatprahāreṇa sa kṣaṇam
เขาขว้างศักติอันสว่างดุจดวงอาทิตย์ อาวุธมรณะพุ่งสู่ทรวงอกของเขา; ครั้นถูกกระแทกนั้น เขาก็สลบไปชั่วขณะ
Suta Goswami (narrating the battle account to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Kālāntaka
FAQs
The verse highlights the intensity and impermanence of bodily power in battle—even mighty beings can be momentarily overwhelmed—while Shaiva Siddhanta points beyond such transient states to Shiva as the steadfast Pati (Lord) who alone grants true freedom from suffering.
The Yuddha narrative portrays Saguna Shiva’s sphere—divine action within the cosmos—reminding devotees that while cosmic events unfold through power and conflict, refuge is taken in Shiva’s auspicious presence symbolized by the Linga, the stable center of worship amid changing circumstances.
A practical takeaway is to steady the mind in adversity by japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and maintaining Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder of impermanence and surrender to Shiva.