Shloka 39
अध्याय ५५ — बाणस्य पुनर्युद्धप्रवृत्तिः
Bāṇa’s Renewed Engagement in Battle
पुराऽयं गर्वितो मत्तो युद्धं देहीति मेऽब्रवीत् । भुजान्कण्डूयमानस्तु विस्मृतात्मगतिर्हरे
purā'yaṃ garvito matto yuddhaṃ dehīti me'bravīt | bhujānkaṇḍūyamānastu vismṛtātmagatirhare
Formerly, this one—swollen with pride—said to me, “Grant me battle.” And, O Hari, while merely scratching his arms in swagger, he forgot the true course of his own Self.
Lord Shiva (narrating to Vishnu/Hari within the Yuddhakhaṇḍa context)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Bhairava
FAQs
It highlights how ahaṅkāra (pride) intoxicates the mind and makes a being forget ātma-gati—the soul’s true direction toward grace and liberation—thereby turning life into needless conflict.
Linga-worship trains humility and inner recollection: instead of seeking “battle” to prove oneself, the devotee turns to Saguna Shiva as the compassionate Lord who dissolves ego and restores the soul’s right orientation.
A practical takeaway is daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with Tripuṇḍra-bhasma and a brief self-inquiry: notice pride arising and return the mind to Shiva as Pati, the liberating Lord.