Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 50
व्योमवाणी-श्रवणं, गणानां शरणागमनं, सती-दाह-वृत्तान्तः — Hearing the Heavenly Voice; The Gaṇas Seek Refuge; Account of Satī’s Self-Immolation
तत्रास्तु विष्णुर्ब्रह्मा वा शचीशो वा यमोपि वा । अपि चाद्यैव तान्सर्वान्पातयस्व प्रयत्नतः
tatrāstu viṣṇurbrahmā vā śacīśo vā yamopi vā | api cādyaiva tānsarvānpātayasva prayatnataḥ
„So sei es dort—ob es Viṣṇu ist oder Brahmā, oder Indra (der Herr der Śacī), oder gar Yama. Noch heute, mit allen Mitteln und mit voller Anstrengung, stürze sie alle nieder.“
Lord Shiva (as Rudra, issuing a command within the Satī narrative)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
The verse asserts Rudra’s supreme governance (Pati-tattva) over all cosmic offices—creation (Brahmā), preservation (Viṣṇu), rulership (Indra), and retribution/death (Yama)—teaching that spiritual refuge ultimately lies in Shiva, not in any limited authority.
In Shaiva Siddhānta-oriented reading, Saguna Shiva (worshipped as the Linga and as Rudra) is the accessible Lord who subdues pride and restores dharma; Linga-worship trains the devotee in surrender to that highest Lord beyond the functions represented by other devas.
The practical takeaway is humility and śaraṇāgati (surrender): daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa can be adopted to internalize Shiva’s lordship and reduce egoic attachment to power.