Skanda Purana — Brahma Khanda, Shloka 21
अंतःस्थितं रक्षतु शंकरो मां स्थाणुः सदा पातु बहिःस्थितं माम् । तदंतरे पातु पतिः पशूनां सदा शिवो रक्षतु मां समंतात्
aṃtaḥsthitaṃ rakṣatu śaṃkaro māṃ sthāṇuḥ sadā pātu bahiḥsthitaṃ mām | tadaṃtare pātu patiḥ paśūnāṃ sadā śivo rakṣatu māṃ samaṃtāt
अंतर में स्थित होकर शंकर मेरी रक्षा करें; बाहर से स्थाणु सदा मेरी रक्षा करें। इनके बीच में पशुपति मेरी रक्षा करें; और चारों ओर से सदा शिव मेरी रक्षा करें।
Unknown (Śiva-kavaca voice)
Scene: A mandala-like composition: Śaṅkara seated in the heart-lotus (within), Sthāṇu as a steadfast pillar/linga outside, Paśupati in the intermediate ring with animals/devotees, and Śiva’s protective circle around all directions.
FAQs
Śiva is invoked as protector of inner consciousness, outer life, and every in-between space—total refuge (śaraṇāgati).
No specific tīrtha is named; the verse universalizes protection in all states and directions.
None explicit; it is suited to daily protective recitation, especially before travel or sleep.