Shloka 9
अध्याय ३८ — काली-शंखचूड-युद्धे अस्त्रप्रयोगः
Kālī and Śaṅkhacūḍa: Mantra-Weapons and Surrender in Battle
निवृत्तिं प्राप तच्छ्स्त्रं दृष्ट्वा नम्रं च दानवम् । ब्रह्मास्त्रमथ सा देवी चिक्षेप मंत्रपूर्वकम्
nivṛttiṃ prāpa tacchstraṃ dṛṣṭvā namraṃ ca dānavam | brahmāstramatha sā devī cikṣepa maṃtrapūrvakam
Seeing the demon humbled, that weapon was withdrawn. Then the Goddess, having first sanctified the act with mantra, hurled the Brahmāstra—the sacred weapon of Brahmā that subdues hostile force by divine authority.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Significance: Not a Jyotirliṅga passage; the focus is Devī’s mantra-empowered astric act as Śiva’s śakti executing divine order.
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse shows that true divine power is not mere aggression: when the opponent becomes humble, violence withdraws, and any further action is guided by mantra—symbolizing that Shakti operates under dharma and sacred restraint, not impulse.
Though set in a battle narrative, the principle is Shaiva: Saguna divinity (Devi/Shakti within Shiva’s cosmic order) acts through mantra and discipline. This mirrors Linga-worship where worship is not emotional force but regulated, mantra-led communion with Pati (Shiva) through sacred form.
It highlights mantra-pūrvaka practice—acting only after mantra-japa and inner recollection. A practical takeaway is disciplined japa (e.g., “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) before any major undertaking, aligning will with dharma rather than reactive emotion.