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The Slaying of Andhaka and the Manifestation of the Eight Mother-Goddesses from Divine Afflictions
ब्रह्मोवाच । अन्धकान्नैव शक्तोऽहं त्रातुं वै सुरसत्तमाः । भवं शर्वं महादेवं व्रजाम शरणार्थिनः ॥ २७.५ ॥
brahmovāca | andhakān naiva śakto 'haṃ trātuṃ vai surasattamāḥ | bhavaṃ śarvaṃ mahādevaṃ vrajāma śaraṇārthinaḥ || 27.5 ||
ब्रह्मोवाच—अन्धकात् त्रातुं नाहं शक्तो वै सुरसत्तमाः। भवं शर्वं महादेवं व्रजाम शरणार्थिनः॥
Brahmā
It reflects a common Purāṇic narrative pattern where deities acknowledge limits and seek protection from a higher authority, illustrating interlinked mythic traditions across Purāṇas and the shared cultural vocabulary of divine epithets.
No geographic toponym is named in this verse; the focus is on a narrative decision to approach Mahādeva (Śiva) for refuge rather than on a specific sacred site.
The verse emphasizes prudent humility and collective recourse to protection when faced with overwhelming harm—framed as ‘seeking refuge’ (śaraṇārthin) rather than insisting on self-sufficiency.
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