Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 21
तुलसी-शङ्खचूडोपाख्यानम् — Viṣṇu’s Disguise and the Tulasī Episode
Prelude to Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Fall
भगवानुवाच । यदाहं रणभूमौ च जगाम समरप्रियः । कोलाहलो महान् जातः प्रवृत्तोऽभून्महारणः
bhagavānuvāca | yadāhaṃ raṇabhūmau ca jagāma samarapriyaḥ | kolāhalo mahān jātaḥ pravṛtto'bhūnmahāraṇaḥ
بھگوان نے فرمایا—“جب میں جنگ کا شوقین ہو کر میدانِ جنگ میں گیا تو بڑا شور برپا ہوا اور عظیم معرکہ پوری شدت سے شروع ہو گیا۔”
Lord Shiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: Battlefield setting functions as a dharmic theatre where Rudra’s destructive/disciplinary role is invoked; not tied to a specific Jyotirliṅga origin.
Significance: Contemplation of Rudra as the inner force that dissolves adharma and ego (ahaṅkāra) in the paśu; inspires surrender to Śiva as ultimate refuge.
FAQs
It portrays Saguna Shiva as the compassionate Lord who actively enters the field of conflict to restore dharma; the “great uproar” symbolizes the shaking of ignorance and adharma when Pati (Shiva) asserts divine order for the welfare of beings.
Though the Linga represents the timeless, transcendent reality, this verse highlights the same Supreme appearing with attributes and action (Saguna) to protect creation—encouraging devotees to worship Shiva both as the formless truth and as the personal Lord who intervenes.
Contemplate Shiva as the inner protector during adversity and perform japa of the Panchakshara “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” mentally offering the agitation of the mind into Shiva’s presence, as one would offer all turmoil into the Lord before battle.