Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 28
क्रौञ्चशरणागमनम् तथा बाणासुरवधः
Krauñca Seeks Refuge; Slaying of Bāṇāsura
ततः कुमारः प्रोवाच कुमुदं नागबालकम् । निर्भयः स्वगृहं गच्छ नष्टस्स सबलोऽसुरः
tataḥ kumāraḥ provāca kumudaṃ nāgabālakam | nirbhayaḥ svagṛhaṃ gaccha naṣṭassa sabalo'suraḥ
அப்போது குமாரன் நாகக் குழந்தை குமுதனிடம் கூறினான்— “அஞ்சாமல் உன் இல்லத்திற்குச் செல்; அந்த வல்ல அசுரன் அழிந்தான்.”
Kumāra (Skanda/Kārttikeya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Shakti Form: Pārvatī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse highlights fearlessness (nirbhayatā) as a fruit of divine grace: when adharmic forces are removed by the Lord’s agency (here through Kumāra), the devotee is restored to safety and steadiness, symbolizing inner protection from anxiety and disturbance.
Kumāra acts as a Saguna expression of Shiva’s protective power—Shiva’s anugraha operating within the world. Worship of the Linga and Shiva’s family deities reinforces trust that the Lord safeguards the devotee while subduing hostile forces (inner and outer).
A practical takeaway is to cultivate nirbhaya-bhāva through japa of the Panchākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and remembrance of Shiva’s protective forms; this steadies the mind when facing fear, like Kumuda being reassured after danger.