Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 32
जलंधरयुद्धे मायाप्रयोगः — Jalandhara’s Māyā in the Battle with Śiva
हंतुं चराचरं सर्वं समर्थोऽहं सवासवम् । को महेश्वर मद्बाणैरभेद्यो भुवनत्रये । बालभावेन भगवांतपसैव विनिर्जितः । ब्रह्मा बलिष्ठः स्थाने मे मुनिभिस्सुरपुंगवैः
haṃtuṃ carācaraṃ sarvaṃ samartho'haṃ savāsavam | ko maheśvara madbāṇairabhedyo bhuvanatraye | bālabhāvena bhagavāṃtapasaiva vinirjitaḥ | brahmā baliṣṭhaḥ sthāne me munibhissurapuṃgavaiḥ
“我足以毁灭一切有情与无情之物——纵使连同因陀罗与诸天也不在话下。噢，大自在天（Maheśvara），在三界之中，有谁能不被我的箭矢所贯穿？诚然，连主宰（梵天）也曾被我以苦行之力降伏，仿佛孩童嬉戏一般。梵天虽被称为最强者，却也因我而安立其位——（并且）仰赖诸圣仙与诸天中的最胜者为其支撑。”
An arrogant warrior (asura-like opponent) addressing Lord Śiva as Maheśvara in the Yuddhakhaṇḍa battle narrative
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
The verse highlights ahaṅkāra (spiritual pride): power, weapons, and even tapas become bondage when used to boast against Maheśvara; Śiva’s supremacy is not merely martial but metaphysical—He is Pati, beyond the three worlds.
Calling Śiva “Maheśvara” in a challenge contrasts human/asuric confidence with Saguna Śiva as the accessible Lord who still transcends all worlds; Linga-worship disciplines ego, turning power-seeking into surrender and devotion.
A practical takeaway is ego-purification through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with vibhūti (Tripuṇḍra) remembrance—offering one’s strength and achievements to Śiva rather than claiming them as “mine.”