Shloka 15
अध्याय १७ — देवपलायनं, विष्णोः प्रतियुद्धं, जलंधरक्रोधः
Devas’ Rout, Viṣṇu’s Counterattack, and Jalandhara’s Wrath
विष्णुर्दैत्यस्य बाणौघैर्ध्वजं छत्रं धनुश्शरान् । चिच्छेद तं च हृदये बाणेनैकेन ताडयन्
viṣṇurdaityasya bāṇaughairdhvajaṃ chatraṃ dhanuśśarān | ciccheda taṃ ca hṛdaye bāṇenaikena tāḍayan
Vishnu, with volleys of arrows, cut down the demon’s banner and parasol and shattered his bow and arrows; then, striking him, he pierced the demon’s heart with a single arrow.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Kālāntaka
FAQs
The verse portrays how egoic, demonic power—marked by outer insignia like banner and parasol—is swiftly dismantled by divine order; in Shaiva understanding, such victories ultimately serve Rudra’s cosmic governance, where adharma is cut down so souls may return toward right knowledge and liberation.
Even when Vishnu is the visible actor in the battle, the Shiva Purana frames all protective power as operating within Shiva’s lordship (Pati); devotion to Saguna Shiva through the Linga reminds the devotee that the supreme source behind all divine functions is Shiva, who upholds and restores dharma.
As a takeaway, the devotee can practice steady japa of the Panchakshara ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") to ‘cut’ inner obstacles—pride, agitation, and hostility—mirroring the verse’s imagery of removing the symbols of adharma.