Shloka 8
Ūṣā-Haraṇa, Bāṇāsura’s Pride, and Aniruddha’s Capture
Prelude to Hari–Śaṅkara Conflict
तच्छ्रुत्वा भगवान् क्रुद्ध: केतुस्ते भज्यते यदा । त्वद्दर्पघ्नं भवेन्मूढ संयुगं मत्समेन ते ॥ ८ ॥
tac chrutvā bhagavān kruddhaḥ ketus te bhajyate yadā tvad-darpa-ghnaṁ bhaven mūḍha saṁyugaṁ mat-samena te
ഇതു കേട്ട് ഭഗവാൻ ശിവൻ ക്രുദ്ധനായി പറഞ്ഞു—“മൂഢാ! എന്നോടു സമനായ വീരനോടു നീ യുദ്ധം ചെയ്താൽ നിന്റെ പതാക തകർന്നുപോകും; ആ യുദ്ധം നിന്റെ ദർപ്പം നശിപ്പിക്കും.”
Lord Śiva could have immediately chastised Bāṇāsura and personally destroyed his pride, but since Bāṇāsura had been such a faithful servant of his, Śiva did not do so.
FAQs
This verse portrays demonic arrogance: Bāṇāsura boasts of being “equal” and predicts the opponent’s humiliation—illustrating how pride speaks loudly before it is ultimately checked by the Lord’s arrangement.
After hearing Aniruddha’s bold words, Bāṇāsura becomes enraged and threatens him, claiming the coming combat will break Aniruddha’s banner and pride.
Avoid self-exalting comparisons (“I am equal to anyone”) and recognize that arrogance invites correction; cultivate humility and steady character, especially when challenged.