Shloka 18
अध्याय १७ — देवपलायनं, विष्णोः प्रतियुद्धं, जलंधरक्रोधः
Devas’ Rout, Viṣṇu’s Counterattack, and Jalandhara’s Wrath
विष्णुर्गदां च खड्गेन चिच्छेद प्रहसन्निव । तं विव्याध शरैस्तीक्ष्णैश्शार्ङ्गं विस्फूर्य दैत्यहा
viṣṇurgadāṃ ca khaḍgena ciccheda prahasanniva | taṃ vivyādha śaraistīkṣṇaiśśārṅgaṃ visphūrya daityahā
Smiling as though in sport, Viṣṇu severed the mace with his sword. Then the demon-slayer, whirling the Śārṅga bow, pierced him with sharp arrows.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya, as per Rudra Saṃhitā framing)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
The verse portrays combat performed without inner agitation—“as if smiling”—hinting that true strength is steadiness of mind. In a Śaiva reading, such prowess is ultimately empowered by the Supreme Pati (Śiva), while the jīva learns that victory is secondary to mastery over ego, anger, and fear.
Though the scene centers on Viṣṇu’s martial act, the Shiva Purana’s narrative arc repeatedly points to Saguna Śiva as the sovereign source of śakti behind all divine functions. Linga-worship trains the devotee to see the one Lord supporting all roles—creation, protection, and dissolution—beyond factional pride.
The practical takeaway is inner composure in action: recite the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to stabilize the mind before duties, and maintain a sāttvika discipline (bhasma/Tripuṇḍra and Rudrākṣa, where traditional) to remember Śiva as the indwelling controller during conflict and challenge.