Shloka 25
जालन्धरस्य दूतप्रेषणम् — Jalandhara Sends an Envoy to Kailāsa
The Provocation of Śiva
महादिव्यप्रभावस्य तस्य दैत्यपतेः प्रभोः । सर्वरत्नेश्वरस्य त्वमाज्ञां शृणु वृषध्वज
mahādivyaprabhāvasya tasya daityapateḥ prabhoḥ | sarvaratneśvarasya tvamājñāṃ śṛṇu vṛṣadhvaja
O Vṛṣadhvaja (Śiva, whose banner bears the bull), hear the command of that lord of the Daityas—of immense, divine might—who is the master of all jewels.
Suta Goswami (narrating the battlefield dialogue of the Yuddhakhaṇḍa)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; the epithet Vṛṣadhvaja frames Śiva as sovereign over all claimants of power, setting up the humiliation of demonic/royal pride in the battle narrative.
Significance: Hearing/reciting such passages is traditionally taken to reduce ahaṅkāra and strengthen śaraṇāgati to Pati (Śiva) over worldly overlords.
FAQs
It highlights how even mighty worldly powers (a Daitya lord famed for splendor and wealth) must address Shiva directly; in Shaiva Siddhanta this points to Pati (Shiva) as the supreme Lord before whom all power and prosperity are secondary.
The epithet “Vṛṣadhvaja” is a Saguna address—devotees relate to Shiva through revered forms and names; such remembrance supports Linga-worship by fixing the mind on Shiva’s lordship and protective presence even amid turmoil.
The practical takeaway is śravaṇa and smaraṇa—listening with attention and remembering Shiva by name (e.g., repeating the Panchakshara, “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to steady the mind when confronted by fear, command, or conflict.