Shloka 72
त्रिपुरवर्णनम् (Tripura-varṇanam) — “Description of Tripura”
व्यूढोरस्कैर्वृषस्कंधैस्सामयुद्धधरैस्सदा । प्रशांतैः कुपितैश्चैव कुब्जैर्वामनकैस्तथा
vyūḍhoraskairvṛṣaskaṃdhaissāmayuddhadharaissadā | praśāṃtaiḥ kupitaiścaiva kubjairvāmanakaistathā
They were ever equipped for orderly combat—some with broad chests and bull-like shoulders; some calm and composed, others inflamed with wrath; some bent-backed, and others dwarf-like as well.
Sūta Goswāmī
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Sthala Purana: Descriptive battlefield anthropology: varied physiques and temperaments illustrate the diversity of bound beings (paśu) driven by karmic impulses under the larger saṃhāra-drama.
Significance: Reminds pilgrims that external strength/anger are unstable; true refuge is Śiva’s governance and eventual grace beyond the turbulence of guṇas.
FAQs
It highlights the diversity of embodied forms and temperaments within worldly conflict, implying that spiritual discernment lies in steadiness (praśānti) rather than being ruled by krodha (anger), even amid battle.
In the Yuddhakhaṇḍa narrative, external strength and variety of forms are secondary to alignment with Shiva’s dharma; Linga/Saguna-Shiva worship trains the devotee toward inner order and composure, mirroring the ideal of disciplined conduct (sāma-yuddha).
Cultivating praśānti through japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) is the practical takeaway—transforming agitation into disciplined action and inner steadiness.