Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 30
अनिरुद्धापहरणानन्तरं कृष्णस्य शोणितपुरगमनम् तथा रुद्रकृष्णयुद्धारम्भः | After Aniruddha’s Abduction: Kṛṣṇa Marches to Śoṇitapura and the Rudra–Kṛṣṇa Battle Begins
अथ प्रसन्नो भगवान्विष्णुज्वरनुतो हरः । विष्णुशीतज्वरं प्राह शरणागतवत्सलः
atha prasanno bhagavānviṣṇujvaranuto haraḥ | viṣṇuśītajvaraṃ prāha śaraṇāgatavatsalaḥ
Da sprach Herr Hara (Śiva), erfreut und vom Fieberdämon Viṣṇus gepriesen, voll Erbarmen zur „kühlenden Fieberglut“ Viṣṇus—Er, der den Zuflucht Suchenden stets liebevoll zugetan ist.
Suta Goswami (narrating the episode to the sages at Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Frames Śiva as śaraṇāgatavatsala (protector of the surrendered), a key bhāva behind jyotirliṅga-darśana and śaraṇāgati at Śiva-kṣetras; remembrance of Śiva’s grace is treated as spiritually and psychosomatically protective.
Type: stotra
FAQs
It highlights Śiva as śaraṇāgata-vatsala—one who responds with grace when beings take refuge. Even forces of affliction (jvara) become instruments that ultimately glorify Śiva’s sovereignty and compassion.
The verse presents Saguna Śiva (Hara) as personally accessible—He hears, speaks, and protects. Linga-worship embodies this same refuge: devotees approach Śiva as the compassionate Lord who removes distress and restores harmony.
The takeaway is śaraṇāgati with japa: steady remembrance of Śiva (e.g., Om Namaḥ Śivāya) as a refuge during suffering, supported by simple Shaiva observances like vibhūti (Tripuṇḍra) and focused prayer for protection.