Shloka 24
बाणासुरस्य शङ्करस्तुतिः तथा युद्धयाचनम् | Bāṇāsura’s Praise of Śiva and Petition for Battle
ककुभां मंगलं सर्वं संप्रेक्ष्य प्रस्थितोऽभवत् । महोत्साहो महावीरो बलिपुत्रो महारथः
kakubhāṃ maṃgalaṃ sarvaṃ saṃprekṣya prasthito'bhavat | mahotsāho mahāvīro baliputro mahārathaḥ
Having looked all around in every direction for auspicious signs, Bali’s son—the great chariot-warrior, full of high resolve and heroic might—set forth.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It highlights the traditional dharmic act of seeking auspiciousness before undertaking a consequential action, while implicitly showing that worldly valor and momentum are still bound to action and its results—whereas Shaiva Siddhanta points beyond to Shiva (Pati) as the ultimate refuge.
Though the verse is narrative and martial, the Shiva Purana’s broader frame treats true auspiciousness (maṅgala) as culminating in devotion to Saguna Shiva—often expressed through Linga-worship—where outward signs are secondary to inner alignment with Shiva’s grace.
A practical takeaway is to begin major undertakings with Shiva-smaraṇa—mentally invoking Shiva or softly repeating the Panchākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—seeking inner auspiciousness rather than relying only on external omens.