Shloka 14

देवपराजयः — शङ्करशरणागमनं स्कन्दकालीयुद्धं च | Devas’ Defeat, Refuge in Śaṅkara, and the Battle of Skanda and Kālī

Devanagari script

महामारी च युयुधे न बभूव पराङ्मुखी । बभूवुस्ते क्षतांगाश्च स्कंदशक्तिप्रपीडिताः

Transliteration

mahāmārī ca yuyudhe na babhūva parāṅmukhī | babhūvuste kṣatāṃgāśca skaṃdaśaktiprapīḍitāḥ

Translation

Mahāmārī too fought on, never turning away from the battle. Yet those warriors, crushed by Skanda’s śakti—the divine spear-power—were wounded in their limbs.

Word by Word

महामारीMahāmārī (a female figure)

चand

युयुधेfought

नnot

बभूवbecame / was

पराङ्मुखीturning away / facing away

बभूवुःbecame / were

तेthey

क्षताङ्गाःhaving wounded limbs

चand

स्कन्दशक्तिप्रपीडिताःtormented by Skanda's spear

Speaker

Suta Goswami

Shaiva Theology

Tattva Level: pasha

Shiva Form: Vīrabhadra

Characters & Entities

Skanda (Kartikeya)

Mahāmārī

FAQs

What is the spiritual significance of this verse in the Shiva Purana?

The verse highlights steadfastness in conflict, yet shows that when divine order (Skanda as Shiva’s commander) manifests, adharma is inevitably weakened—injury here symbolizes the breaking of egoic force before the Lord’s śakti.

How does this verse relate to the worship of the Linga or Saguna Shiva?

Skanda functions as Saguna Shiva’s protective power in action—devotees see the Linga as the unshakable center of Pati, while the Lord’s śakti actively removes hostile forces that obstruct dharma and devotion.

What ritualistic or meditative practice is suggested here?

Contemplate Shiva’s śakti as protective grace and recite the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) for inner steadiness; mentally offer obstacles into the Lord’s power, as the foes are ‘crushed’ by Skanda’s śakti.