Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 21
देवाः वैकुण्ठगमनम् तथा विष्णोः अवतारस्तुतिः | Devas Go to Vaikuṇṭha and Praise Viṣṇu’s Avatāras
विचरंति यथा मर्त्याश्शोभंते नैव ते सुराः । शरणं ते वयं प्राप्ता वधस्तस्य विचिंत्यताम्
vicaraṃti yathā martyāśśobhaṃte naiva te surāḥ | śaraṇaṃ te vayaṃ prāptā vadhastasya viciṃtyatām
Die Götter strahlen nicht mehr; sie irren umher wie Sterbliche. Wir sind zu Dir als Zuflucht gekommen — entscheide, dass er erschlagen werde.
The Devas (gods), petitioning Lord Shiva as the supreme refuge (Pati)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It presents Shiva as the ultimate Śaraṇa (refuge) and Pati (Lord): when power and “splendor” fail, true protection comes through surrender to Shiva, who restores dharma by removing the cause of bondage and fear.
The devas approach Shiva in a personal, responsive way—Saguna Shiva who hears prayers and acts for cosmic order. In Shiva tradition, this same refuge is ritually approached through Linga-worship, where devotees seek protection, purification, and right resolution.
The takeaway is śaraṇāgati (surrender): approach Shiva with humility and prayer, supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and (where traditional) Tripuṇḍra-bhasma and Rudrākṣa as reminders of Shiva’s guardianship and inner steadiness.