Shloka 1
Śiva–Arjuna Yuddha and the Subjugation of Pride (Śiva-parīkṣā)
तमागतन्ततो दृष्ट्वा ध्यानं कृत्वा शिवस्य सः । गत्वा तत्रार्जुनस्तेन युद्धं चक्रे सुदारुणम्
tamāgatantato dṛṣṭvā dhyānaṃ kṛtvā śivasya saḥ | gatvā tatrārjunastena yuddhaṃ cakre sudāruṇam
Melihat Baginda tiba, Arjuna bermeditasi mengingati Dewa Śiva; lalu pergi ke sana dan bertempur dengan-Nya dalam pertempuran yang amat dahsyat.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
The verse highlights dhyāna of Śiva before action: the devotee first turns to Pati (Lord Śiva) as inner refuge and guiding consciousness, then performs even difficult duties with steadiness.
Arjuna’s meditation implies Saguna-upāsanā—contemplating Śiva with form and attributes as the accessible Lord; in Shiva Purana practice this is commonly supported by Linga-worship, where remembrance and offering precede worldly engagement.
A brief Śiva-dhyāna before major undertakings—mentally reciting the Pañcākṣarī ("Om Namaḥ Śivāya") and centering the mind on Śiva—so action proceeds from devotion rather than agitation.