Shloka 18
Yatinātha-līlā: Śiva’s Test of the Bhilla Devotees at Arbuda Mountain
एवं यत्नं प्रकुर्वाण स भिल्लो बलवानपि । प्रारब्धात्प्रेरितैर्हिंस्रैर्बलादासीच्च भक्षितः
evaṃ yatnaṃ prakurvāṇa sa bhillo balavānapi | prārabdhātpreritairhiṃsrairbalādāsīcca bhakṣitaḥ
Even while making such efforts, that hunter—though strong—was, by force, set upon and devoured by fierce beasts driven onward by his own prārabdha (ripened karma).
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Kālāntaka
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: liberating
Cosmic Event: Prārabdha-karma explicitly named as the impelling force—illustrating pāśa (bondage) operating as niyati/karma that culminates in death.
FAQs
It highlights the binding force of prārabdha—karma already ripened—showing that mere worldly strength cannot override karmic fruition; liberation ultimately depends on turning to Pati (Śiva) and transcending pāśa (bondage).
The verse underscores human helplessness before karmic momentum, implying the need for refuge in Saguna Śiva through Linga-worship and devotion, by which grace (anugraha) loosens karmic bonds and redirects the soul toward mokṣa.
A practical takeaway is steady Shiva-upāsanā—japa of the Pañcākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and simple Linga-pūjā with devotion—seeking Śiva’s grace to endure prārabdha with detachment and move toward liberation.