Shloka 37

अध्याय ८२ — व्यपोहनस्तवः (पापव्यपोहन-स्तोत्रम्)

Devanagari script

चतुर्भिस्तनुभिर् नित्यं सर्वासुरनिबर्हणः स्कन्दः शक्तिधरः शान्तः सेनानीः शिखिवाहनः

Transliteration

caturbhistanubhir nityaṃ sarvāsuranibarhaṇaḥ skandaḥ śaktidharaḥ śāntaḥ senānīḥ śikhivāhanaḥ

Translation

Si Skanda ay laging nahahayag sa apat na anyo; tagapagdala ng banal na Śakti, payapa at matatag, Punong-Heneral ng hukbo ng mga deva at sakay ng pabo-real; siya ang walang-humpay na tagapuksa ng lahat ng Asura na laban sa dharma.

Word by Word

• चतुर्भिः (caturbhiḥ): with four

• तनुभिः (tanubhiḥ): bodies/forms

• नित्यं (nityaṃ): always, eternally

• सर्व (sarva): all

• असुर (asura): anti-dharmic beings/demonic forces

• निबर्हणः (nibarhaṇaḥ): destroyer, eradicator

• स्कन्दः (skandaḥ): Skanda/Kartikeya

• शक्तिधरः (śaktidharaḥ): bearer of the Śakti (spear/energy), power-holder

• शान्तः (śāntaḥ): शांत, tranquil

• सेनानीः (senānīḥ): commander-in-chief, leader of the army

• शिखिवाहनः (śikhivāhanaḥ): he whose vehicle is the peacock

Speaker

Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages at Naimisharanya)

Characters & Entities

• Skanda
• Shakti
• Asuras

FAQs

What is the importance of this verse in the context of Linga worship?

By praising Skanda as Śaktidhara and Senānī, the verse supports Linga-worship as devotion to Pati (Śiva) along with His governing powers—invoking protection that removes hostile forces obstructing puja and dharma.

How does this verse describe the nature of Shiva (Shiva-tattva)?

It reflects Shiva-tattva as Pati who operates through Śakti: Skanda embodies disciplined power (śānta-śakti) that subdues asuric opposition—symbolizing Shiva’s grace that breaks pāśa (bondage) afflicting the paśu (soul).

What ritualistic or Yogic practice is highlighted here?

The verse implies protective recitation (nāma-smaraṇa) and inner conquest: through calm strength (śānta) and focused power (śakti), the sādhaka overcomes ‘asuras’ as inner obstacles—anger, pride, and delusion—supporting Pashupata-aligned discipline.