Shloka 38
अन्धकादिदैत्ययुद्धे वीरकविजयः — Vīraka’s Victory over Andhaka’s Forces
चक्रुर्महायुद्धमभूतपूर्वं निधाय बुद्धौ दितिजाः प्रधानाः । निवर्तनं मृत्युमथात्मनश्च नारीभिरन्ये वरदानसत्त्वाः
cakrurmahāyuddhamabhūtapūrvaṃ nidhāya buddhau ditijāḥ pradhānāḥ | nivartanaṃ mṛtyumathātmanaśca nārībhiranye varadānasattvāḥ
The foremost Dānava warriors, sons of Diti, set their resolve firmly in mind and waged an unprecedented great battle. Others too—strengthened by the power of boons—fought alongside their womenfolk, their hearts set either on withdrawing from the field or on meeting death themselves.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Kālāntaka
FAQs
It highlights how even boon-empowered beings remain bound by karma and mortality; true refuge is not in worldly strength but in inner resolve aligned toward Pati (Shiva), the liberating Lord.
The battlefield resolve contrasts with the higher Shaiva ideal: instead of relying on boons and force, one takes shelter in Saguna Shiva through devotion and discipline—symbolized by the Linga as the steady support for the mind (buddhi).
Cultivate steadiness of buddhi through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and simple daily Shaiva observances (bhasma/Tripuṇḍra and Rudrākṣa), training the mind to face fear and impermanence with surrender.