क्रौञ्चशरणागमनम् तथा बाणासुरवधः
Krauñca Seeks Refuge; Slaying of Bāṇāsura
तत्पीडितस्ते शरणमागतोऽहं सुदुःखितः । पलायमानो देवेश शरजन्मन्दयां कुरु
tatpīḍitaste śaraṇamāgato'haṃ suduḥkhitaḥ | palāyamāno deveśa śarajanmandayāṃ kuru
我被他所逼迫,痛苦至极,前来投奔于你。如今我奔逃求护佑,噢诸天之主——噢“沙罗所生者”(Śarajanman,迦尔提凯耶)——愿你垂慈怜悯。
A distressed supplicant (a deva or allied being) addressing Lord Kārtikeya (Śarajanman) within the Kumārakhaṇḍa narrative
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
The verse centers on śaraṇāgati (taking refuge): when a being is oppressed and fearful, turning to the divine for protection invokes dayā (compassion), reflecting the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis on grace (anugraha) as the remedy for bondage and suffering.
Though addressed to Śarajanman (Skanda), it expresses the Saguna path—approaching a personal divine form with prayer and surrender. In Shaiva practice, such refuge is ultimately rooted in Shiva’s lordship, with Skanda revered as Shiva’s empowered manifestation and protector.
A practical takeaway is devotional refuge-prayer (śaraṇāgati) accompanied by mantra-japa—especially "Om Namaḥ Śivāya"—and a humble request for grace; it aligns with Shaiva disciplines like japa, worship, and remembrance during fear or distress.