Shloka 155
Mārkaṇḍeya’s Birth and Boon; Puṣkara’s Glory; Rāma’s Śrāddha; Refuge-Hymn to Śiva
येनासकृद्दनुसुताः समरे निरस्ता विद्याधरोरगगणाश्च वरैः समग्रैः । संयोजिता मुनिवराः फलमूलभक्षास्तं शंकरं शरणदं शरणं व्रजामि
yenāsakṛddanusutāḥ samare nirastā vidyādharoragagaṇāśca varaiḥ samagraiḥ | saṃyojitā munivarāḥ phalamūlabhakṣāstaṃ śaṃkaraṃ śaraṇadaṃ śaraṇaṃ vrajāmi
య whose చేత దనుపుత్రులు పునఃపునః సమరంలో త్రోసివేయబడ్డారు, విద్యాధర-నాగగణాలు సమగ్ర వరాలతో అనుగ్రహింపబడ్డారు, ఫలమూలభక్షణమగు మునివరులు సద్వ్యవస్థలో ఏకీకృతులయ్యారు—ఆ శరణద శంకరుని నేను శరణు వేడుచున్నాను।
An unnamed devotee/narrator offering a concluding refuge-prayer (śaraṇāgati) to Śiva (Śaṅkara).
Concept: Refuge in the divine restores right order: the violent are checked, the worthy are blessed, and ascetics are protected so tapas can bear fruit.
Application: Support dharma in daily life by (1) restraining harmful impulses, (2) using power to bless and uplift, and (3) protecting spaces of contemplation—your own and others’.
Primary Rasa: shanta
Secondary Rasa: vira
Visual Art Cues: {"scene_description":"A triptych-like cosmic tableau: on one side Śaṅkara drives back Danu’s sons on a smoky battlefield; in the center he bestows radiant boons upon Vidyādharas and coiled Nāga kings; on the other side, tranquil forest sages living on fruits and roots sit in harmony as his presence calms their āśrama.","primary_figures":["Śaṅkara (Śiva)","Danu-putras (asura warriors)","Vidyādhara hosts","Nāga kings","Muni-varas (forest sages)"],"setting":"Composite cosmic setting blending battlefield, aerial palace-clouds, jeweled subterranean nāga court, and a forest hermitage with fruit trees and simple huts.","lighting_mood":"divine radiance","color_palette":["smoke grey","emerald green","lapis blue","saffron","pearl white"],"tanjore_prompt":"Tanjore painting style: multi-panel narrative with gold leaf separating scenes—battle scene with dynamic poses, central boon-giving Śaṅkara with ornate halo and gem-studded ornaments, nāga court with jeweled arches, forest sages in calm greens; rich reds and greens with embossed gold borders.","pahari_prompt":"Pahari miniature style: elegant narrative segmentation, soft washes for forest and clouds, delicate depiction of sages with minimalism, nāgas with refined jewel tones, restrained battle energy, lyrical balance between action and peace.","kerala_mural_prompt":"Kerala mural style: bold outlines and rhythmic composition, Śaṅkara repeated in three vignettes, stylized nāga hoods and vidyādhara flight, warm pigment palette with strong reds/yellows/greens, temple-storyboard feel.","pichwai_prompt":"Pichwai cloth painting style: ornate floral border unifying multiple scenes, symmetrical central boon-bestowal, lotus and vine motifs, deep blue ground with gold highlights, peacocks near the hermitage, decorative clouds for vidyādhara realm."}
Audio Atmosphere: {"recitation_mood":"narrative","suggested_raga":"Desh","pace":"moderate-narrative","voice_tone":"serene","sound_elements":["soft mridangam","temple bells","forest birds","distant conch","gentle drone"]}
Sandhi Resolution Notes: yenāsakṛt = yena + asakṛt; asakṛddanusutāḥ = asakṛt + danu-sutāḥ; vidyādharoragagaṇāśca = vidyādhara-uraga-gaṇāḥ + ca; phalamūlabhakṣāḥ = phala-mūla-bhakṣāḥ.
FAQs
It is a śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) hymn: the speaker surrenders to Śaṅkara, praising him as protector in conflict, bestower of boons, and harmonizer of the ascetic order.
They represent different classes of beings—adversarial forces (Dānavas), celestial groups (Vidyādharas), subterranean/serpentine beings (Nāgas), and renunciant sages—showing Śiva’s authority to subdue, bless, and restore order across realms.
Seek refuge in the divine for protection and inner alignment: true refuge is not only rescue from external conflict but also the restoration of harmony (saṃyojana) and the support of disciplined, simple living (phala-mūla-bhakṣa).