Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 48
शिवतत्त्वे परापरभावविचारः
Inquiry into Śiva’s Principle and the Parā–Aparā Paradox
बटोः केनचिदर्थेन स्वाश्रितस्य गतायुषः । त्वरयागत्य देवेन पादांतं गमितोन्तकः
baṭoḥ kenacidarthena svāśritasya gatāyuṣaḥ | tvarayāgatya devena pādāṃtaṃ gamitontakaḥ
ولأمرٍ يخصّ ذلك الزاهد الفتى—الذي احتمى به وقد انقضى أجله—أسرع الموتُ (أنتَكَ) بالمجيء؛ غير أنّ الربّ ألقاه عند قدميه، فسُلبت منه القدرة.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Jyotirlinga: Vaidyanātha
Sthala Purana: The Vaidyanātha (Deoghar) complex is strongly linked in later purāṇic/folk memory to Rāvaṇa’s devotion and Śiva’s granting/withholding boons; this verse’s theme—Śiva overriding death for a refuge-seeker—aligns with ‘Vaidya’ Śiva as healer who rescues from mṛtyu.
Significance: Śiva as Vaidya grants protection from untimely death and alleviates afflictions; pilgrims seek ārogya and longevity through abhiṣeka and japa.
Type: mahamrityunjaya
Role: liberating
FAQs
It teaches śaraṇāgati: when the pashu (individual soul) takes refuge in Pati (Shiva), even the force of death becomes subordinate; Shiva’s grace overrides karmic finality and turns fear into surrender at His feet.
The verse highlights Saguna Shiva as the accessible Lord who intervenes for devotees; Linga-worship expresses this refuge—approaching Shiva’s presence so that limiting powers (like Yama) lose authority over the surrendered heart.
Practice daily Shiva-śaraṇāgati with japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and inner remembrance of Shiva’s feet (pāda-smaraṇa), reinforcing trust in grace beyond fear of death.