Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 32
वीरभद्र–देवयुद्धवर्णनम्
Vīrabhadra and the Battle with the Devas
तेन घातेन सहसा विहतः पुरुषोत्तमः । पपात च तदा भूमौ विसंज्ञोभून्मुने हरिः
tena ghātena sahasā vihataḥ puruṣottamaḥ | papāta ca tadā bhūmau visaṃjñobhūnmune hariḥ
哈利——毗湿奴，众人中最卓越者——忽遭那一击，立刻倒落于地；噢，牟尼啊，他遂失去知觉。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: destructive
FAQs
It highlights the limitation of even great cosmic powers when confronted with a higher divine ordinance—pointing the seeker toward humility and surrender to Pati (Shiva), the ultimate Lord who grants liberation.
The narrative supports the Shaiva view that Saguna Shiva’s manifest power governs and harmonizes the cosmos; Linga-worship trains the devotee to recognize that supreme sovereignty and to take refuge in Shiva as the highest protector and liberator.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—with a mood of humility; mentally offering one’s strength and pride into Shiva’s presence, as in Linga-dhyana, aligns the devotee with Shiva’s grace.