Shloka 17
द्वन्द्वयुद्धवर्णनम् / Description of the Duel-Combats
ततो लम्बोदरश्शुंभं हत्वा परशुना हृदि । अपातयत्तदा भूमौ मूषकं चारुरोह सः
tato lambodaraśśuṃbhaṃ hatvā paraśunā hṛdi | apātayattadā bhūmau mūṣakaṃ cāruroha saḥ
Then Lambodara struck down Śumbha, cleaving his heart with the axe. At that moment he cast him to the ground and mounted his mouse-vāhana again.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Yuddhakhaṇḍa account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse portrays the triumph of a divine protector (Lambodara) over a hostile force, symbolizing the Shaiva teaching that obstacles and inner adversaries fall when one is aligned with dharma and supported by the Lord’s gaṇic power and grace.
In Shaiva Siddhānta, Saguna Shiva is worshipped along with His śakti and attendants (gaṇas). This battle scene highlights the protective function of the divine retinue—devotees revere the Linga while also honoring Shiva’s manifest powers that remove impediments and uphold cosmic order.
A practical takeaway is obstacle-removal through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and remembrance of Gaṇeśa before worship; one may also apply Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and maintain steady devotion as a discipline for conquering inner resistance.