Shloka 55
Śiva–Arjuna Yuddha and the Subjugation of Pride (Śiva-parīkṣā)
अस्त्रम्पाशुपतं स्वीयन्दुर्जयं सर्वदाखिलैः । ददौ तस्मै महेशानो वचनश्चेदमब्रवीत्
astrampāśupataṃ svīyandurjayaṃ sarvadākhilaiḥ | dadau tasmai maheśāno vacanaścedamabravīt
แล้วพระมหีศานะประทานศัสตรา ‘ปาศุปตะ’ อันเป็นของพระองค์—ซึ่งไม่มีผู้ใดพิชิตได้ตลอดกาล—แก่เขา และตรัสถ้อยคำดังนี้।
Lord Shiva (Maheśāna)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Significance: The episode models ‘śiva-prasāda’ as the source of both protection and empowerment; pilgrimage retellings often frame such boons as arising from surrender and right conduct.
FAQs
It highlights Śiva as Paśupati (the Lord of all souls) whose grace grants invincible protection and spiritual authority; the “unconquerable” weapon symbolizes the supremacy of Śiva’s śakti that overcomes bondage (pāśa) and ignorance.
The verse reflects Saguna Śiva’s compassionate bestowal of power: just as the Liṅga is the accessible form through which devotees receive Śiva’s anugraha (grace), here Śiva tangibly confers His own Pāśupata power to the recipient within the sacred narrative.
The takeaway is reliance on Śiva’s anugraha through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and Śaiva discipline (bhasma/tripuṇḍra and devotion), seeking inner conquest of passions rather than mere outer power.