Shloka 25
अध्याय १७ — देवपलायनं, विष्णोः प्रतियुद्धं, जलंधरक्रोधः
Devas’ Rout, Viṣṇu’s Counterattack, and Jalandhara’s Wrath
पुनर्बाणैस्सुतीक्ष्णैश्च जघान मधुसूदनम् । उग्रवीर्यो महावीरो देवानां भयकारकः
punarbāṇaissutīkṣṇaiśca jaghāna madhusūdanam | ugravīryo mahāvīro devānāṃ bhayakārakaḥ
Again, with exceedingly sharp arrows, that fierce and mighty hero struck Madhusūdana (Viṣṇu), becoming a cause of fear to the gods.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
The verse highlights that worldly power—even divine power—can be shaken in the turbulence of conflict; Shaiva Siddhanta emphasizes that true fearlessness arises from taking refuge in Pati (Lord Shiva), whose grace alone liberates the bound soul (paśu) from limitation and fear.
In the Yuddhakhaṇḍa’s battle setting, the instability of even celestial realms points devotees toward steady worship of Saguna Shiva through the Liṅga—an accessible form through which the Lord grants protection, inner steadiness, and the cessation of fear.
A practical takeaway is fear-removing devotion: recite the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and/or Rudrākṣa, cultivating śaraṇāgati (surrender) so the mind remains steady even amid conflict.