Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 30
जलंधरयुद्धे मायाप्रयोगः — Jalandhara’s Māyā in the Battle with Śiva
जलंधर उवाच । रेखामुद्धृत्य हत्वा च सगणं त्वां हि शंकर । हत्वा लोकान्सुरैस्सार्द्धं स्वभागं गरुडो यथा
jalaṃdhara uvāca | rekhāmuddhṛtya hatvā ca sagaṇaṃ tvāṃ hi śaṃkara | hatvā lokānsuraissārddhaṃ svabhāgaṃ garuḍo yathā
Jalandhara sprach: „O Śaṅkara, nachdem ich die Grenzlinie gezogen und dich samt deinen Gaṇas erschlagen habe, werde ich auch die Welten mitsamt den Göttern vernichten und meinen rechtmäßigen Anteil an mich nehmen—wie Garuḍa seinen eigenen Anteil nimmt.“
Jalandhara
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
The verse highlights asuric pride—claiming dominion and “rightful share” through violence—set against Śiva’s role as Pati (Lord) who restores dharma. In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, it depicts the ego-bound pashu acting under pasha (bondage) and moving toward inevitable correction by the Supreme.
Jalandhara directly challenges Śaṅkara as the manifest (saguṇa) Lord who protects the worlds with His gaṇas. The narrative encourages devotees to take refuge in Śiva’s accessible, protective form—worshipped as the Liṅga—rather than in power, conquest, or entitlement.
As a practical takeaway, cultivate humility and surrender through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” paired with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) remembrance of impermanence—antidotes to the boastful ego exemplified by Jalandhara.