Shloka 41
देवाः वैकुण्ठगमनम् तथा विष्णोः अवतारस्तुतिः | Devas Go to Vaikuṇṭha and Praise Viṣṇu’s Avatāras
गदाभिस्तीक्ष्णबाणैश्च शूलपट्टिशतोमरैः । केचित्परशुशूलैश्च निजघ्नुस्ते परस्परम्
gadābhistīkṣṇabāṇaiśca śūlapaṭṭiśatomaraiḥ | kecitparaśuśūlaiśca nijaghnuste parasparam
Some struck one another with maces and razor-sharp arrows; others fought with spears, swords, and javelins; and still others slew each other with axes and tridents—thus they battled among themselves.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
The verse portrays mutual destruction in battle, highlighting the Shaiva Siddhanta insight that violence rooted in ego and anger tightens pāśa (bondage). It implicitly points to the need for turning toward Pati (Śiva) as the liberating refuge beyond such karmic entanglement.
In the Yuddhakhaṇḍa, outward conflict contrasts with the stabilizing, auspicious presence of Saguna Śiva. Linga-worship signifies centering consciousness in Śiva—moving from fragmentation (parasparam, 'against one another') toward inner unity and peace through devotion.
As a practical takeaway, one may counter the impulses of conflict through japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and adopt Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of restraint, impermanence, and surrender to Śiva.