Shloka 13
युद्धप्रस्थान-वर्णनम्
Departure to the Battlefield and the Śaiva Overlordship over the Devas
दृष्ट्वा तदद्भुतं चित्रमस्त्रशांतिकरं शुभम् । किमेतदद्भुताकारमित्यूचुश्च परस्परम्
dṛṣṭvā tadadbhutaṃ citramastraśāṃtikaraṃ śubham | kimetadadbhutākāramityūcuśca parasparam
Seeing that wondrous, radiant marvel—auspicious and able to pacify the force of weapons—they said to one another, “What is this extraordinary form?”
Suta Goswami (narrating the scene to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Liṅgodbhava
Sthala Purana: The marvel ‘astra-śānti-kara’ signals the jyoti-stambha as a peace-making revelation: finite powers cease, and inquiry begins—preparing the ground for recognition of Śiva as Pati.
Significance: Models the pilgrim’s inner turn: from contest and force to wonder (adbhuta) and inquiry (jijñāsā), the first movement toward anugraha.
Cosmic Event: Auspicious theophany that pacifies weapon-force (astra-śānti), shifting the cosmic mood from conflict to contemplative questioning.
FAQs
The verse highlights how the presence of Shiva’s auspicious manifestation naturally subdues violence and agitation—externally (weapons) and internally (anger, fear). Wonder (adbhuta) becomes a doorway to devotion and recognition of Pati, the Lord who grants peace.
It reflects Saguna Shiva’s compassionate, protective power: when the divine form is revealed, destructive forces are neutralized. In Linga-worship too, the devotee approaches the visible sign of Shiva to receive śānti (peace) and auspiciousness.
Cultivate śānti through Shiva-upāsanā: japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and calm, steady dhyāna on Shiva’s auspicious form—practices traditionally paired with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha for protection and inner composure.