Skanda Purana — Mahesvara Khanda, Shloka 56

Devanagari script

शरण्यः शाश्वतः शास्ता शंकरः परमेश्वरः

Transliteration

śaraṇyaḥ śāśvataḥ śāstā śaṃkaraḥ parameśvaraḥ

Translation

ಅವನೇ ಶರಣ್ಯ, ಶಾಶ್ವತ, ಪರಮ ಶಾಸ್ತಾ ಮತ್ತು ಉಪದೇಶಕ—ಶಂಕರ, ಪರಮೇಶ್ವರ.

Word by Word

• शरण्यः: worthy of refuge/protecting
• शरण्यः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śaraṇya (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम् (परमेश्वरः इति)

• शाश्वतः: eternal
• शाश्वतः: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Adjective
• Root: śāśvata (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; विशेषणम्

• शास्ता: ruler/teacher
• शास्ता: Visheshana (Qualifier/विशेषण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śās (धातु)
• Form: कृदन्त (तृच्/तारक-प्रत्ययान्त agent noun), पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; धातु: शास् (to rule/teach)

• शंकरः: Śaṅkara
• शंकरः: Karta (Subject/कर्ता)
• Type: Noun
• Root: śaṃkara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन

• परमेश्वरः: the supreme lord
• परमेश्वरः: Karta (Apposition/कर्ता-समानााधिकरण)
• Type: Noun
• Root: parama-īśvara (प्रातिपदिक)
• Form: पुल्लिङ्ग, प्रथमा, एकवचन; कर्मधारयः (परमः ईश्वरः)

Speaker

Nārada

Tirtha Mahatmya

Tirtha: Any Śiva-kṣetra (generic)

Type: kshetra

Visual Art Cues

Scene: A concise hymn-like proclamation of Śaṅkara’s qualities: refuge, eternal, ruler, teacher, supreme lord—an iconic, frontal darśana image is suggested.

Characters & Entities

• Śiva (Śaṅkara, Parameśvara)

FAQs

What is the primary spiritual lesson of this shloka?

Taking refuge in Śiva—eternal and supreme—anchors one in the highest protection and guidance.

Which specific holy site (Tirtha) is glorified here?

None; it is direct praise of Śiva.

What ritualistic prescription is mentioned?

None; it functions as a stotra-like declaration.