Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 1
अन्धकादिदैत्ययुद्धे वीरकविजयः — Vīraka’s Victory over Andhaka’s Forces
सनत्कुमार उवाच । गतस्ततो मत्तगजेन्द्रगामी पीत्वा सुरां घूर्णितलोचनश्च । महानुभावो बहुसैन्ययुक्तः प्रचंडवीरो वरवीरयायी
sanatkumāra uvāca | gatastato mattagajendragāmī pītvā surāṃ ghūrṇitalocanaśca | mahānubhāvo bahusainyayuktaḥ pracaṃḍavīro varavīrayāyī
萨那特库玛罗说道：随后他出发，行步如醉象之王；饮了烈酒，双目翻转摇晃。此人威势宏大，率众军随行，乃凶猛可畏之战士——专为与最上勇士交锋而行军求战者。
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It depicts a tamasic, pride-driven warrior-mindset—intoxication, agitation, and hunger for combat—standing in contrast to Shaiva Siddhanta’s ideal of self-mastery and surrender to Pati (Shiva), who alone grants purification and liberation.
By showing the turbulence of ego and tamas, the narrative implicitly points to Saguna Shiva worship (Linga, mantra, and devotion) as the stabilizing refuge that transforms the bound soul (paśu) and loosens the bonds (pāśa) of delusion and passion.
A practical takeaway is to counter tamas with Shaiva discipline: japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), wearing Rudrākṣa with purity of conduct, and applying Tripuṇḍra-bhasma as a reminder of restraint and inner vigilance.