Shloka 12
रावणस्य तपः-शिवानुग्रहः — Rāvaṇa’s Austerity and Śiva’s Bestowal of Grace
रावण उवाच । प्रसन्नो भव देवेश लंकां च त्वां नयाम्यहम् । सफलं कुरु मे कामं त्वामहं शरणं गतः
rāvaṇa uvāca | prasanno bhava deveśa laṃkāṃ ca tvāṃ nayāmyaham | saphalaṃ kuru me kāmaṃ tvāmahaṃ śaraṇaṃ gataḥ
Rāvaṇa sprach: „Sei gnädig, o Herr der Götter. Ich werde Dich nach Laṅkā führen. Lass mein Begehren Frucht tragen; zu Dir bin ich als Zuflucht gekommen.“
Ravana
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Rāvaṇa’s request to ‘take Śiva to Laṅkā’ anticipates the portable-liṅga motif: the Lord’s presence is mediated through the liṅga, which becomes the stable locus of worship when divine conditions are observed.
Significance: Teaches śaraṇāgati (refuge-taking) as a bhakti-act; yet also warns that desires (kāma) can mix with devotion, keeping the paśu within pāśa unless purified toward mokṣa.
Mantra: त्वामहं शरणं गतः
FAQs
The verse centers on śaraṇāgati—taking refuge in Lord Shiva (Pati). Even when a devotee approaches with worldly aims, acknowledging Shiva as Deveśa and seeking His grace points to the Shaiva Siddhanta emphasis that liberation and fulfillment ultimately depend on the Lord’s anugraha (grace), not mere personal power.
Rāvaṇa addresses Shiva personally as “Deveśa,” a Saguna approach—devotion to Shiva with form and lordship. In Jyotirlinga-centered Kotirudrasaṃhitā contexts, such surrender and invitation reflect the pilgrim-devotee attitude toward the Linga as the living presence of Shiva who bestows boons and guidance.
The practical takeaway is devotional surrender: approach Shiva with humility, offer prayer, and seek grace. In Shiva Purana practice, this pairs naturally with japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and simple Linga-pūjā (water/flower offering), done with the inner attitude of refuge rather than entitlement.