Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 14
तारकवाक्य-शक्रविष्णुवीरभद्रयुद्धवर्णनम् — Account of Tāraka’s declarations and the battle involving Śakra (Indra), Viṣṇu, and Vīrabhadra
अनेन साकं ह्यहमेकवीरो योत्स्ये च सर्वानहमेव वीरान् । गणांश्च सर्वानपि घातयामि सलोकपालान्हरिनायकांश्च
anena sākaṃ hyahamekavīro yotsye ca sarvānahameva vīrān | gaṇāṃśca sarvānapi ghātayāmi salokapālānharināyakāṃśca
与他同在，我——独自一人、作为唯一的勇士——将与一切英雄交战。我也要击灭所有伽那众，甚至连诸世界的守护者，以及哈利军众的统领也一并诛倒。
Tārakāsura (inferred from Kumārakhaṇḍa battle-context boasting against the Devas and Shiva’s gaṇas)
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
This verse depicts asuric ahaṅkāra—boastful “I alone” pride—which Shaiva Siddhanta treats as a binding impurity (āṇava/egoic contraction) that blinds the soul to Shiva’s supreme governance and inevitably leads to downfall.
The threat against Shiva’s gaṇas and cosmic guardians highlights the need for refuge in Saguna Shiva—the accessible Lord worshipped through the Liṅga—whose protective grace restores dharma when demonic forces challenge the divine order.
A practical takeaway is ego-purification through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and humble worship with bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa—remedies traditionally aligned with Shaiva discipline against pride and aggression.