Kartik Mahatmya Adhyay 17 and 18: Shiva and Jalandhar at War

This page covers Adhyay 17 and 18 of the Kartik Mahatmya. In Adhyay 17, Jalandhar enters the battle himself and brings down Shiva's greatest warriors. In Adhyay 18, Lord Shiva rides into battle. Jalandhar, losing, turns to illusion, and Jagadamba reveals the secret of his protection, the vow of Sati Vrinda.

The full list is on the Kartik Mahatmya Katha page.

संक्षेप में: जलंधर ने शिवगणों को गिराया, तब स्वयं शिवजी रण में आए। गंधर्व-माया और जगदंबा के बताए सती वृंदा के व्रत के रहस्य की कथा पढ़िए। पूरा लेख हिंदी में पढ़ें →

The story

The ganas of Shiva ji were very strong. They defeated Shumbh, Nishumbh and the great asura Kalanemi. Seeing this, Jalandhar, the son of the Ocean, climbed onto a huge chariot with a long banner and came to the battlefield himself. The noise of elephants, horses, conches, drums and war cries from both sides shook the earth. His arrows spread like mist from earth to sky. He struck Nandi with five arrows, Ganesh ji with five and Virabhadra with twenty.

Then Kartikeya threw his shakti. Jalandhar fell to the ground unconscious, but he soon rose and began striking with his mace. To honour a boon of Brahma ji, Kartikeya lay down on the ground. Ganesh ji and Nandi also fell to the mace, and Virabhadra to a heavy iron weapon. Seeing this, the ganas left the field and ran to Shiva ji, and he gave them freedom from fear.

Adhyay 18 opens with Lord Shankar in his fierce form, riding Nandi into battle himself. When they saw him, the ganas who had run away came back roaring like lions. Jalandhar rushed at Shiva ji, shooting thousands of arrows. Shiva ji cut through that web of arrows. Great daityas like Balahak, Ghasmar and Prachand were killed, and the daitya army began to run.

Jalandhar scolded his daityas and in anger shot seventy arrows at Shiva ji. Shiva ji cut down his flag, umbrella and bow, and when he lifted his mace, that too was cut to pieces.

Seeing himself losing, Jalandhar created a gandharva illusion. Apsaras appeared, the veena and mridang began to play, and there was dance and song. Rudra and his ganas became absorbed in this play, and the battle stopped.

Then, through illusion, Jalandhar took the form of Shiva ji, mounted a bull and went to Mata Parvati. But Jagadamba knew at once that this was a danav. She vanished and went north to Mansarovar. There she called Lord Vishnu and told him everything. He said that by her grace he knew it all already and would do as she commanded.

Jagadamba said the daitya had opened a path of deceit, and his end would come by that same path. As long as he had the armour of Sati Vrinda's vow, no one could kill him. Illusion would be answered by illusion alone. Lord Vishnu accepted her command and set out for Jalandhar's city.

The teaching of this chapter

This katha gives three lessons. The Lord always gives fearlessness to those who come to him for shelter, as Shiva ji did for his ganas. Deceit can seem to win for a while, but its end is certain.

And the vow of a faithful wife holds such power, the chapter says, that even the gods respect it.

Frequently asked questions

Why did Kartikeya lie down on the battlefield?
The chapter says he did so to honour a boon given by Brahma ji.

What did Shiva ji do when his ganas ran to him?
He gave them freedom from fear, and then rode into battle on Nandi himself. Seeing him, the ganas returned.

What was the gandharva illusion?
When Jalandhar was losing, he made apsaras appear with music, dance and song. Rudra and the ganas became absorbed in it, and the battle stopped.

How did Jagadamba respond to Jalandhar's disguise?
She recognised him at once as a danav, vanished and went north to Mansarovar, where she called Lord Vishnu.

Why could no one kill Jalandhar?
Jagadamba says that the vow of Sati Vrinda protected him like armour. While that armour lasted, no one could kill him.

Previous chapter: Adhyay 15 and 16: The Story of Kirtimukh