Shloka 8
Śumbha–Niśumbha’s Mobilization After Devī’s Victories
Battle Muster and Omens
गजाधिरूढास्तुरगाधिरोहिणो रथाधिरूढाश्च तथापरेऽसुराः । अलक्षयन्तः स्वपराञ्जनान्मुदाऽसुरेशसंगे समरेऽभिरेभिरे
gajādhirūḍhāsturagādhirohiṇo rathādhirūḍhāśca tathāpare'surāḥ | alakṣayantaḥ svaparāñjanānmudā'sureśasaṃge samare'bhirebhire
ಕೆಲವರು ಅಸುರರು ಆನೆಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ, ಕೆಲವರು ಕುದುರೆಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ, ಇನ್ನೂ ಕೆಲವರು ರಥಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ಆರೂಢರಾಗಿದ್ದರು। ಗದ್ದಲದಲ್ಲಿ ಸ್ವಜನ-ಪರಜನರನ್ನು ಗುರುತಿಸಲಾರದೆ, ಅಸುರೇಶನೊಂದಿಗೆ ಸೇರಿದ ಆ ಸಮರದಲ್ಲಿ ಅವರು ಹರ್ಷದಿಂದ ಇತ್ತಿಚ್ಚೆ ಓಡಾಡಿದರು।
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
The verse depicts adharma-driven forces intoxicated by conflict and confusion—so deluded that they cannot discern friend from foe. In Shaiva Siddhanta terms, it mirrors the soul (paśu) bound by pāśa (impurities like āṇava and māyā), losing right discrimination until grace and right knowledge restore clarity.
Though the verse is martial, its inner teaching supports Saguna Shiva worship: the Linga is a stabilizing focus that purifies confusion and agitation. Devotion to Shiva as Pati (the Lord) grants steadiness and discernment, countering the Asuric tendency toward frenzy and misrecognition.
A practical takeaway is to cultivate viveka through japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and disciplined worship (bhasma/Tripuṇḍra and Rudrāksha where appropriate), so the mind does not fall into the Asuric pattern of confusion during inner “battles” of desire and anger.