Shloka 23
बाणासुरस्य शङ्करस्तुतिः तथा युद्धयाचनम् | Bāṇāsura’s Praise of Śiva and Petition for Battle
स स्वसैन्यं समाहूय संयुक्तः साष्टभिर्गणैः । इष्टिं सांग्रामिकां कृत्वा दृष्ट्वा सांग्रामिकं मधु
sa svasainyaṃ samāhūya saṃyuktaḥ sāṣṭabhirgaṇaiḥ | iṣṭiṃ sāṃgrāmikāṃ kṛtvā dṛṣṭvā sāṃgrāmikaṃ madhu
He summoned his own army and, accompanied by the eight gaṇas, performed a war-rite—a consecratory sacrifice for battle. Having done so, he beheld the battle-madhu, the rousing draught prepared for the campaign.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra
FAQs
It shows that even forceful worldly action (yuddha) is to be preceded by consecration—turning intent and energy into an offering (iṣṭi). In a Shaiva Siddhanta sense, disciplined action becomes purified when aligned to dharma and offered to the Lord, rather than driven by ego.
The verse reflects Saguna-oriented devotion: seeking divine sanction and protection through rite and remembrance before undertaking a major act. Such consecration parallels approaching the Liṅga with reverence—first purifying intention, then acting as an instrument of the Lord (Pati) rather than as an independent doer.
A practical takeaway is to begin significant undertakings with a brief consecration: japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offering water (arghya) mentally or at a Liṅga, and a resolve (saṅkalpa) to act without hatred—treating the work itself as iṣṭi (an offering).