Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 5
तारकवधोत्तरं देवस्तुतिः पर्वतवरप्रदानं च / Devas’ Hymn after Tāraka’s Slaying and the Bestowal of Boons upon the Mountains
देवरक्षाकर स्वामिन्रक्ष नस्सर्वदा प्रभो । देवप्राणावन कर प्रसीद करुणाकर
devarakṣākara svāminrakṣa nassarvadā prabho | devaprāṇāvana kara prasīda karuṇākara
O Herr, Beschützer der Devas, unser Gebieter—behüte uns allezeit, o Souverän. O Bewahrer des Lebensatems der Götter, sei gnädig; o Ozean des Mitgefühls, erbarme dich.
Kumāra (Kārttikeya/Skanda) or the divine hosts praying to Lord Śiva (context: Kumārakhaṇḍa devotional supplication)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Mantra: देवरक्षाकर स्वामिन्रक्ष नस्सर्वदा प्रभो । देवप्राणावन कर प्रसीद करुणाकर
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
Offering: dipa
FAQs
The verse expresses śaraṇāgati (surrender) to Śiva as Pati—the compassionate Lord who protects devotees and even the devas. In a Shaiva Siddhānta lens, protection is ultimately Śiva’s anugraha (grace) that removes fear and sustains the soul toward liberation.
The prayer addresses Śiva in personal (saguṇa) form—Prabhu, Svāmin, Karuṇākara—making it ideal for Linga-worship where the devotee approaches Śiva as the living refuge and protector, seeking His immediate grace and guardianship.
Use it as a daily protective prayer before Linga-pūjā: apply tripuṇḍra (bhasma), chant the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and recite this verse with the intention of seeking Śiva’s rakṣā (divine protection) and prasāda (grace).