Shloka 17
शिवशङ्खचूडयुद्धवर्णनम् / Description of the Battle between Śiva and Śaṅkhacūḍa
समाहृत्य स्वबाणौघैरपातयत शंकरः । द्रुतं परशुहस्तं तं भूतले लीलयासुरम्
samāhṛtya svabāṇaughairapātayata śaṃkaraḥ | drutaṃ paraśuhastaṃ taṃ bhūtale līlayāsuram
Śaṅkara menghimpunkan deras anak panah-Nya sendiri, lalu dengan pantas menumbangkan asura yang memegang kapak itu, mencampakkannya ke bumi—seolah-olah dilakukan dalam permainan yang tanpa susah payah.
Sūta Gosvāmī (narrating the battle account to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
It portrays Śiva as Pati—the sovereign Lord whose power is effortless and unobstructed; the fall of the asura symbolizes the collapse of egoic, violent tendencies when confronted by divine grace and right order (dharma).
The verse highlights Saguna Śiva acting in the world for protection; Linga-worship trains the mind to perceive this same Lord as both immanent protector and transcendent reality, turning fear into devotion and surrender.
Japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with bhakti-bhāva—visualizing Śaṅkara’s protective presence—supports inner victory over asuric impulses; offering vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) can be done as a reminder of Śiva’s supremacy and detachment.