Shloka 68
Lord Śiva Instructs the Pracetās (Śiva-stuti and the Path of Bhakti)
अथ त्वमसि नो ब्रह्मन् परमात्मन् विपश्चिताम् । विश्वं रुद्रभयध्वस्तमकुतश्चिद्भया गति: ॥ ६८ ॥
atha tvam asi no brahman paramātman vipaścitām viśvaṁ rudra-bhaya-dhvastam akutaścid-bhayā gatiḥ
O Brahman, O Paramātmā, the truly learned know You as the Supreme Brahman and the indwelling Supersoul. Though the universe fears Rudra, the destroyer, for the wise devotees You are the fearless refuge and final destination.
For the purpose of creation, maintenance and annihilation of this cosmic manifestation, there are three lords — Brahmā, Viṣṇu and Śiva (Maheśvara). The material body is finished at the time of annihilation. Both the universal body and the small unit, the individual living entity’s body, are susceptible to annihilation at the ultimate end. However, the devotees do not fear the annihilation of the body, for they are confident that after the annihilation they will go back home, back to Godhead ( tyaktvā dehaṁ punar janma naiti mām eti so ’rjuna ).
FAQs
This verse says the Supreme Self (Paramātmā/Brahman) is the fear-free shelter, even when the universe trembles under Rudra’s destructive power.
Because they praise the Supreme as the Absolute Truth and the indwelling Lord of the wise, emphasizing that beyond cosmic forces like Rudra, the Supreme alone grants final protection.
Take shelter of the Supreme through remembrance, prayer, and devotion—seeing worldly threats as temporary, and grounding the mind in the fearless refuge of Paramātmā.