Śiva–Arjuna Yuddha and the Subjugation of Pride (Śiva-parīkṣā)
अथार्जुनः प्रसन्नात्मा प्राप्यास्त्रं च वरं प्रभोः । जगाम स्वाश्रमे मुख्यं स्मरन्भक्त्या गुरुं शिवम्
athārjunaḥ prasannātmā prāpyāstraṃ ca varaṃ prabhoḥ | jagāma svāśrame mukhyaṃ smaranbhaktyā guruṃ śivam
Kemudian Arjuna, dengan jiwa yang tenteram, setelah memperoleh senjata ilahi dan anugerah daripada Tuhan, pun kembali ke pertapaan utamanya—sambil mengingati Śiva, Sang Guru, dengan bhakti.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Dakṣiṇāmūrti
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
It shows that Shiva’s anugraha (grace) gives both worldly competence (astra, boon) and inner purification; Arjuna’s calm mind and devotional remembrance indicate that true success is sealed by bhakti and reverence to Shiva as the supreme Guru.
Arjuna’s devotion is directed to Shiva as a personal, gracious Lord (Saguna Shiva) who bestows boons; such a relationship is central to Linga-worship where the devotee remembers, serves, and receives Shiva’s protective grace.
The verse emphasizes smaraṇa—devotional recollection of Shiva; practically this aligns with japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and daily Shiva-dhyāna, offered with a guru-bhāva toward Shiva.