Shloka 23
अन्धकादिदैत्ययुद्धे वीरकविजयः — Vīraka’s Victory over Andhaka’s Forces
भयेन सस्मार पितामहं तु देवी सखीभिस्सहिता च विष्णुम् । सैन्यं च मद्वीरवरस्य सर्वं सस्मारयामास गुहांतरस्था
bhayena sasmāra pitāmahaṃ tu devī sakhībhissahitā ca viṣṇum | sainyaṃ ca madvīravarasya sarvaṃ sasmārayāmāsa guhāṃtarasthā
Overcome by fear, the Devī—together with her companions, abiding within a cave—remembered Pitāmaha (Brahmā) and also Viṣṇu; and she caused the entire army of the best of heroes to be summoned to her aid.
Suta Goswami (narrating the Yuddhakhaṇḍa account to the sages of Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse highlights smaraṇa (remembrance) as an immediate spiritual refuge: when fear arises, the mind turns from limitation to divine support. In Shaiva Siddhanta, such turning is the first loosening of pāśa (bondage) and a movement toward grace.
Although Brahmā and Viṣṇu are remembered here, the Shiva Purana’s wider frame presents all protective powers as functioning within Śiva’s cosmic order. For a devotee, this same act of remembrance is naturally directed to Saguna Śiva—especially through Linga worship—as the accessible focus of refuge and stability.
Practice smaraṇa with japa: repeat the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” in fear or uncertainty, optionally with rudrākṣa and tripuṇḍra (bhasma), and mentally ‘summon’ inner steadiness by taking refuge in Śiva.