Shloka 10
Śumbha–Niśumbha’s Mobilization After Devī’s Victories
Battle Muster and Omens
पदातयो निर्व वजुर्हि कोटिशः प्रभूतमाना विजयाभिलाषिणः । रथाश्वगा वारणगा अथापरेऽसुरा निरीयुः कति कोटिशो मुदा
padātayo nirva vajurhi koṭiśaḥ prabhūtamānā vijayābhilāṣiṇaḥ | rathāśvagā vāraṇagā athāpare'surā nirīyuḥ kati koṭiśo mudā
ಕೋಟಿಕೋಟಿ ಪಾದಾತಿಗಳು ಹೊರಟು ಬಂದರು—ಅತಿಯಾದ ಗರ್ವದಿಂದ ಉಬ್ಬಿ, ವಿಜಯಾಭಿಲಾಷೆಯಿಂದ. ಇತರ ಅಸುರರೂ ಹರ್ಷದಿಂದ ನಿರ್ಗಮಿಸಿದರು; ಕೆಲವರು ರಥ-ಅಶ್ವಾರೂಢರು, ಕೆಲವರು ಮಹಾಗಜಾರೂಢರು.
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
FAQs
It portrays the Asuric temperament—pride and hunger for victory—as a binding force (pāśa) that drives beings into conflict, contrasting with the Shaiva path where surrender to Pati (Shiva) loosens bondage and leads toward grace.
While the verse is martial in tone, it implicitly highlights the opposite of Linga-worship: instead of turning the mind toward Saguna Shiva through devotion, the Asuras turn outward to conquest. Linga-upāsanā in the Shiva Purana is repeatedly presented as the remedy for ego and restlessness.
A practical takeaway is to counter pride with japa of the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and cultivate humility; on Mahāśivarātri, this is reinforced through disciplined worship (abhisheka, vibhūti/tripuṇḍra) aimed at dissolving victory-lust and ego.