Shloka 26
बाणासुरस्य शङ्करस्तुतिः तथा युद्धयाचनम् | Bāṇāsura’s Praise of Śiva and Petition for Battle
यस्तु बाहुसहस्रं मे छिनत्त्वनलकाष्ठवत् । तथा शस्त्रैर्महातीक्ष्णैश्च्छिनद्मि शतशस्त्विह
yastu bāhusahasraṃ me chinattvanalakāṣṭhavat | tathā śastrairmahātīkṣṇaiścchinadmi śataśastviha
Whoever here cuts off my thousand arms as though they were mere dry sticks of the forest—him too, in the same manner, I shall cut down again and again with exceedingly sharp weapons.
A powerful battlefield antagonist (a mighty asura/warrior) speaking in the Yuddhakhaṇḍa narrative, as recounted by Sūta to the sages
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Bhairava
FAQs
It portrays the futility of pride and aggression in the face of dharma: the ego that boasts of power is bound by pasha (bondage), while Shiva as Pati remains the ultimate protector and regulator of all power.
The battle imagery highlights Saguna Shiva’s role as the Lord who subdues adharmic forces; devotion to the Linga trains the mind to surrender violence and arrogance into disciplined worship and restraint.
A practical takeaway is japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) to pacify anger and strengthen surrender, supported by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of restraint and devotion.