Shloka 16
द्वन्द्वयुद्धवर्णनम् / Description of the Duel-Combats
मूषकश्शरभिन्नाङ्गश्चचाल दृढवेदनः । लम्बोदरश्च पतितः पदातिरभवत्स हि
mūṣakaśśarabhinnāṅgaścacāla dṛḍhavedanaḥ | lambodaraśca patitaḥ padātirabhavatsa hi
The mouse, its body pierced by the arrow, staggered in grievous pain. And Lambodara too fell down—indeed, bereft of his mount, he became a foot-soldier.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights steadfastness under suffering: even divine attendants face adversity in the cosmic drama, reminding devotees that endurance and dharma-oriented resolve support the soul’s progress under Śiva’s overarching grace.
Yuddhakhaṇḍa narratives frame Saguna Śiva’s governance of the cosmos—victory and setback occur within His order. For devotees, worship of the Liṅga anchors the mind in the Lord beyond changing circumstances, while honoring His manifest play through such episodes.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) for steadiness in pain and fear, coupled with simple Śiva-upāsanā such as Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and a calm, breath-linked repetition of the mantra.