Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 43
कार्त्तिकेयान्वेषण-नन्दिसंवाद-वर्णनम्
Search for Kārttikeya and the Nandī Dialogue
कार्तिकेय उवाच । भयं त्यजत कल्याण्यो भयं किं वा मयि स्थिते । दुर्निवार्योऽस्मि बालश्च मातरः केन वार्यते
kārtikeya uvāca | bhayaṃ tyajata kalyāṇyo bhayaṃ kiṃ vā mayi sthite | durnivāryo'smi bālaśca mātaraḥ kena vāryate
Kārttikeya sprach: „Werft die Furcht ab, o glückverheißende Mütter. Welche Angst könnte es geben, solange ich hier bin? Ich bin unwiderstehlich; und obgleich ich nur ein Kind bin – wer vermöchte die Mütter zu hemmen?“
Kartikeya (Skanda)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse teaches fearlessness through divine refuge: when a power aligned with Shiva’s will (Skanda) is present, anxiety dissolves, and even formidable cosmic forces (the Mothers) are understood as operating within the Lord’s ordained order.
Skanda’s assurance reflects Saguna Shiva’s protective grace expressed through Shiva’s divine family and attendants. Devotion to the Linga is devotion to that same sovereign Pati (Lord) whose power manifests as protection through his forms and agencies.
A practical takeaway is cultivating śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) by mentally repeating the Panchākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—to dispel fear, alongside simple Shaiva observances like applying Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as a reminder of Shiva’s protection and detachment.