Shloka 2
देवपराजयः — शङ्करशरणागमनं स्कन्दकालीयुद्धं च | Devas’ Defeat, Refuge in Śaṅkara, and the Battle of Skanda and Kālī
ते परावृत्य विश्वेशं शंकरं शरणं ययुः । त्राहि त्राहीति सर्वेशेत्यू चुर्विह्वलया गिरा
te parāvṛtya viśveśaṃ śaṃkaraṃ śaraṇaṃ yayuḥ | trāhi trāhīti sarveśetyū curvihvalayā girā
Turning back, they sought refuge in Śaṅkara, the Lord of the universe; and with voices trembling in distress they cried, “Save us, save us, O Sarveśa, Lord of all!”
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: The epithet Viśveśa/Viśvanātha evokes Kāśī’s Lord of the Universe; in Purāṇic memory, liberation is assured to those who take refuge in him at Kāśī.
Significance: Śaraṇāgati to Viśveśa is linked with fearlessness and mokṣa-bestowing grace; Kāśī is famed for tāraka-upadeśa at death.
Mantra: trāhi trāhīti sarveśa
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights śaraṇāgati—turning to Pati (Shiva) as the sole refuge when the soul (paśu) is overwhelmed by fear; the cry “trāhi” expresses surrender that opens the way for Shiva’s grace to remove danger and inner bondage.
By addressing Shiva as Viśveśa and Śaṅkara, the verse emphasizes approachable Saguna Shiva—the compassionate Lord who can be invoked directly for protection; Linga-worship similarly centers on taking refuge in Shiva’s ever-present, grace-bestowing form.
A simple protective bhakti-prayoga: repeat a heartfelt plea like “trāhi trāhi” alongside Panchakshara japa (Om Namaḥ Śivāya), and mentally place oneself at Shiva’s feet as refuge (śaraṇa).