Shloka 37

अध्याय ८२ — व्यपोहनस्तवः (पापव्यपोहन-स्तोत्रम्)

Devanagari script

चतुर्भिस्तनुभिर् नित्यं सर्वासुरनिबर्हणः स्कन्दः शक्तिधरः शान्तः सेनानीः शिखिवाहनः

Transliteration

caturbhistanubhir nityaṃ sarvāsuranibarhaṇaḥ skandaḥ śaktidharaḥ śāntaḥ senānīḥ śikhivāhanaḥ

Translation

Skanda, manifesté sans cesse en quatre formes, porteur de la Śakti divine, paisible et maître de soi, Général des armées célestes et cavalier du paon, est l’éternel destructeur de tous les Asuras opposés au dharma.

Word by Word

• चतुर्भिः (caturbhiḥ): with four

• तनुभिः (tanubhiḥ): bodies/forms

• नित्यं (nityaṃ): always, eternally

• सर्व (sarva): all

• असुर (asura): anti-dharmic beings/demonic forces

• निबर्हणः (nibarhaṇaḥ): destroyer, eradicator

• स्कन्दः (skandaḥ): Skanda/Kartikeya

• शक्तिधरः (śaktidharaḥ): bearer of the Śakti (spear/energy), power-holder

• शान्तः (śāntaḥ): शांत, tranquil

• सेनानीः (senānīḥ): commander-in-chief, leader of the army

• शिखिवाहनः (śikhivāhanaḥ): he whose vehicle is the peacock

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Skanda
• Shakti
• Asuras

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

By praising Skanda as Śaktidhara and Senānī, the verse supports Linga-worship as devotion to Pati (Śiva) along with His governing powers—invoking protection that removes hostile forces obstructing puja and dharma.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

It reflects Shiva-tattva as Pati who operates through Śakti: Skanda embodies disciplined power (śānta-śakti) that subdues asuric opposition—symbolizing Shiva’s grace that breaks pāśa (bondage) afflicting the paśu (soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse implies protective recitation (nāma-smaraṇa) and inner conquest: through calm strength (śānta) and focused power (śakti), the sādhaka overcomes ‘asuras’ as inner obstacles—anger, pride, and delusion—supporting Pashupata-aligned discipline.