Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 173
तदेंद्रो वज्रमुत्सृज्य प्रांजलिः शरणं ययौ । तस्याभयं ददौ स्कंदः सहसैन्यस्य सत्तमः
tadeṃdro vajramutsṛjya prāṃjaliḥ śaraṇaṃ yayau | tasyābhayaṃ dadau skaṃdaḥ sahasainyasya sattamaḥ
Then Indra, casting aside his vajra, went for refuge with palms joined. Skanda—the best among commanders of armies—granted him abhaya, the assurance of safety and fearlessness.
Sūta (Lomaharṣaṇa) to the sages
Scene: Indra drops the thunderbolt, folds his hands, and bows; Skanda, serene and majestic as commander, raises a hand in abhaya-mudrā, granting safety even to Indra’s forces.
FAQs
True refuge (śaraṇāgati) is met with protection; divine leadership is compassionate as well as powerful.
No tīrtha is specified in this verse; the focus is on Skanda’s protective grace.
None; it highlights the inner act of surrender (folded hands, seeking refuge).