अध्याय ५५ — बाणस्य पुनर्युद्धप्रवृत्तिः
Bāṇa’s Renewed Engagement in Battle
उत्थायारं ततः कृष्णो युयुधे तेन शत्रुणा । शिवभक्तेन देवर्षे लोकलीलाऽनुसारतः
utthāyāraṃ tataḥ kṛṣṇo yuyudhe tena śatruṇā | śivabhaktena devarṣe lokalīlā'nusārataḥ
Then Kṛṣṇa rose up and fought with that enemy—who was in truth a devotee of Śiva—O divine sage, in accordance with the Lord’s play in the world.
Sūta Gosvāmin
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Sadāśiva
It teaches that outer conflict can unfold within Śiva’s loka-līlā, while inner devotion (bhakti) remains the true spiritual identity; events serve dharma and the Lord’s cosmic purpose rather than mere hatred.
By calling the opponent a Śiva-bhakta, the verse affirms Saguna Śiva as the personal Lord who receives devotion even amid worldly roles; Linga-worship represents this steady devotion beyond changing circumstances.
Maintain bhakti during action: mentally repeat the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) while performing one’s duty, and support it with simple Shaiva observances such as Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of Śiva.