Shloka 24
गिलासुर-आक्रमणम् तथा शिवसैन्य-समाह्वानम् — The Assault of Gila and Śiva’s Mobilization
निरीक्ष्यैवं पश्चाद्वृषभवरमारुह्य भगवान्कपर्द्दी युद्धार्थी विधसदितिजं सम्मुखमुखः । जपन्दिव्यं मन्त्रं निगलनविधानोद्गिलनकं स्थितस्सज्जं कृत्वा धनुरशनिकल्पानपि शरान्
nirīkṣyaivaṃ paścādvṛṣabhavaramāruhya bhagavānkaparddī yuddhārthī vidhasaditijaṃ sammukhamukhaḥ | japandivyaṃ mantraṃ nigalanavidhānodgilanakaṃ sthitassajjaṃ kṛtvā dhanuraśanikalpānapi śarān
Having thus observed, the blessed Lord Kapardī mounted the excellent bull and, intent on battle, faced the Daitya who stood opposite. Continuously reciting a divine mantra—one that could both swallow and cast forth the foe—he stood ready, with thunderbolt-like arrows set upon the bowstring.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
It shows Śiva as Pati—the sovereign protector of dharma—who acts in the world without losing inner stillness: even in battle he remains established in mantra, teaching that divine action is rooted in sacred consciousness.
The verse highlights Saguna Śiva (Kapardī on Nandi) whose accessible form inspires devotion; such narratives support Linga-worship by revealing the same Supreme Lord as both the worshipped symbol (Liṅga) and the living protector who intervenes for devotees.
Continuous mantra-japa while engaging one’s duties—especially remembrance of Śiva through pañcākṣarī-style devotion—suggests integrating meditation with action; the takeaway is steady japa with focused readiness (sajja), rather than distraction or fear.