Shloka 22
तुलसी-शङ्खचूडोपाख्यानम् — Viṣṇu’s Disguise and the Tulasī Episode
Prelude to Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Fall
देवदानवयोर्युद्धं संबभूव जयैषिणोः । दैत्याः पराजितास्तत्र निर्जरैर्बलगर्वितैः
devadānavayoryuddhaṃ saṃbabhūva jayaiṣiṇoḥ | daityāḥ parājitāstatra nirjarairbalagarvitaiḥ
Then a battle arose between the Devas and the Danavas, each striving for victory. There the Daityas were defeated by the deathless gods, who were proud of their strength.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; depicts the oscillation of power between devas and daityas within saṃsāric contest, preparing the theological point that devas too require Śiva’s refuge.
Significance: Moral instruction: even ‘deathless’ devas can be ‘balagarvita’ (proud), and victory/defeat are transient under māyā; encourages humility and Śiva-śaraṇāgati.
FAQs
It highlights how victory and defeat in worldly conflict often turn on ego and power; Shaiva teaching points beyond such dualities toward humility and surrender to Pati (Shiva), the Lord who alone grants lasting peace and liberation.
Though the verse describes battle, its subtext is that strength and “immortality” (nirjara-status) are not ultimate; devotion to Saguna Shiva in the Linga form disciplines pride and aligns one with dharma, preparing the seeker for Shiva’s grace.
A practical takeaway is to counter balagarva (strength-pride) through japa of the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and steadying disciplines like Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) remembrance of impermanence.