Srimad Bhagavatam — Dashama Skandha, Shloka 45
Kṛṣṇa Defeats Bāṇāsura and Receives Śiva’s Prayers
The Śoṇitapura Battle and the Jvara Episode
अयं ममेष्टो दयितोऽनुवर्ती मयाभयं दत्तममुष्य देव । सम्पाद्यतां तद् भवत: प्रसादो यथा हि ते दैत्यपतौ प्रसाद: ॥ ४५ ॥
ayaṁ mameṣṭo dayito ’nuvartī mayābhayaṁ dattam amuṣya deva sampādyatāṁ tad bhavataḥ prasādo yathā hi te daitya-patau prasādaḥ
此般那苏罗是我所爱、忠诚随从之人，我已赐他无畏。故我主啊，愿你赐他慈恩，如你曾怜悯阿修罗之王普罗诃罗陀一般。
Lord Śiva feels inclined to help Bāṇāsura because the demon showed great devotion to Lord Śiva when he provided musical accompaniment for Śiva’s tāṇḍava dance. Another reason Bāṇa is an object of Lord Śiva’s favor is that he is a descendant of the great devotees Prahlāda and Bali.
FAQs
In this verse, Śiva directly petitions Kṛṣṇa to show grace, acknowledging Kṛṣṇa as the ultimate giver of protection and mercy—even in matters involving Śiva’s own devotee.
Because Bāṇāsura was Śiva’s dear follower, and Śiva had granted him fearlessness; therefore Śiva requests Kṛṣṇa to confirm that protection with His mercy after defeating him.
The verse points to seeking shelter of the Lord and living as a faithful follower; spiritual refuge and divine grace cultivate steadiness and fearlessness amid crisis.