Chapter 32 of 59 · Rudra Samhita - Yuddha Khanda · Overall chapter 202 of 464
The Messenger Is Sent
Shiva sends Pushpadanta to demand Shankhachuda return the gods' kingdom or fight; Shankhachuda flatly refuses either option and declares he will march against Shiva at dawn, dismissing the messenger's warning that Shiva is the supreme lord over both devas and asuras alike.
Sanatkumara said
Great Rudra, Ishana, destroyer of the wicked and goal of the virtuous, resolved to kill Shankhachuda to satisfy the gods' wishes. He wanted to make Chitraratha, lord of gandharvas, his messenger, and quickly sent him to Shankhachuda. Obeying Sarveshvara's command, the messenger went to that city, better than great Indra's and surpassing Kubera's residence. There he saw Shankhachuda's excellent residence in the middle, radiant, with twelve gates and a doorkeeper at each. Pushpadanta came to an excellent door and, showing no fear, told the doorkeeper his business. Glad, he crossed that door and went in, to a charming, beautiful, extensive and ornamented place. He went and saw Shankhachuda, lord of Danu's sons, seated on a jewelled throne in a circle of heroes, surrounded by three crores of lords among danavas, with hundreds of crores of others roaming with weapons in their hands. Seeing him so, Pushpadanta was amazed, and told him the message of war from Shankara.
Pushpadanta said
King, I am Pushpadanta, Shiva's messenger. Hear Shankara's words: give the kingdom and the gods' rights back now, or fight me, the highest of the good. The gods have sought my shelter and I am their lord, Shankara to the virtuous and great Rudra. If I am angered I will surely kill you. I am Hara, who frees the gods from fear, who carries the rod against the crooked and shows kindness to devotees. Will you restore the kingdom or fight? Weigh it, danava king, and choose one. That is Mahesha's message as he gave it, and Shambhu's words are never proved false. I wish to go back quickly to my lord Hara. What shall I tell him on my return?
Sanatkumara said
The messenger had spoken, and the king laughed before replying.
Shankhachuda said
I will not give the gods their kingdom. The earth belongs to the brave. Rudra, you have sided with the gods, so I will fight you; a hero who lets another trample him is nothing. I will march against you, and at dawn I will decide how a warrior should advance. Take these words to Rudra.
Sanatkumara said
The proud messenger of Shambhu heard the danava lord and answered.
Pushpadanta said
King, you would have to search among Shankara's ganas for one you could match, let alone face Shankara himself. Return every right to the gods, and if you wish to live, go down to Patala once they are restored. Know that he is no common deity: Shankara is the supreme self and lord over lords. Indra and all the gods, the Prajapatis, siddhas and sages obey him. He is master of Hari and Brahma, with qualities and without. If he frowns, dissolution comes everywhere. Complete in his form, he destroys the worlds, shelters the good, kills the wicked, never changes, and is greater than the greatest. Maheshvara is lord even of Brahma and Hari, so do not scorn his order. Consider it well: Rudra Mahesha is the supreme brahman, pure consciousness in essence. Restore the kingdom and every right to the gods. That will secure your welfare; otherwise fear awaits.
Sanatkumara said
Shankhachuda heard this and, blinded by destiny, answered Shiva's messenger.
Shankhachuda said
My mind is made up: without a battle with Mahesha I will surrender neither the kingdom nor the rights. They are mine, and I say it truly. All things moving and still are ruled by destiny; all comes from time and all ends in time. Go and tell Shankara Rudra my words exactly, and let him do as he sees fit. Nothing more needs saying.
Sanatkumara said
Dismissed, the messenger went back to his lord and gave Shiva a faithful account of all that had passed.
Retold in our own words from Bibek Debroy's English translation of the Shiva Purana (Penguin Classics). Names, numbers and the order of events follow the source.