Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 29
दिव्यरथारोहणम् — Śiva’s Ascent on the Divine Chariot
Pre-battle Portents
हलैश्च शालैर्मुशलैर्भुशुण्डैर्गिरीन्द्रकल्पैर्गिरिसंनिभाश्च । नानायुधैस्संयुतबाहवस्ते ततो नु हृष्टाः प्रययुस्सुरेशाः
halaiśca śālairmuśalairbhuśuṇḍairgirīndrakalpairgirisaṃnibhāśca | nānāyudhaissaṃyutabāhavaste tato nu hṛṣṭāḥ prayayussureśāḥ
เหล่าสุเรศทรงอาวุธทั้งไถ หอก กระบอง และไม้ท่อนหนัก—บางองค์ดุจราชาแห่งขุนเขา บางองค์ดุจยอดผา—แขนทั้งสองพร้อมด้วยศัสตรานานา แล้วจึงยกทัพไปด้วยความปลื้มปีติ।
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Significance: The verse highlights the ‘instrumental’ zeal of divine beings; in Siddhānta this can be read as pashu-forces (limited agents) energized by Pati’s will, reminding devotees that effort is fruitful when aligned with Śiva’s purpose.
FAQs
It depicts the Devas moving from hesitation to resolve—symbolizing the Shaiva Siddhanta ideal that righteous action (dharma) should be undertaken with steadiness, while inwardly relying on the supreme Lord (Pati) as the true source of strength.
Though the verse is martial, it supports the Purana’s broader message: external effort becomes effective when aligned with divine order. In Linga/Saguna Shiva worship, devotees first take refuge in Shiva (through mantra and offering) and then act in the world with courage and discipline.
Before beginning a challenging duty, one may steady the mind with the Panchākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and mentally offer the action to Shiva; this mirrors the Devas’ readiness by placing effort under divine guidance.