Shloka 9
तारकपीडितदेवशरणागतिḥ — The Devas Seek Refuge from Tāraka
अग्निर्यमोथ वरुणो निरृतिर्वायुरेव च । अन्ये दिक्पतयश्चापि सर्वे यद्वशगामिनः
agniryamotha varuṇo nirṛtirvāyureva ca | anye dikpatayaścāpi sarve yadvaśagāminaḥ
Agni, Yama, Varuṇa, Nirṛti, and Vāyu—and indeed the other guardians of the directions as well—are all those who move under his control, governed by his will.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Shiva Purana account to the sages, in the flow of Rudra Saṃhitā)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
FAQs
It teaches Shiva’s supreme lordship (Pati): even powerful cosmic regulators like Agni, Yama, and the Dikpālas function only by His sanction, guiding the seeker toward surrender and trust in Shiva’s governance of karma and order.
In Linga-worship, Shiva is honored as the unifying axis of all directions and powers; this verse supports Saguna devotion by affirming that the devas and directional guardians are subordinate to Shiva, the ultimate refuge embodied in the Linga.
Meditate on Shiva as the inner ruler of all directions while chanting the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offering water and bilva to the Linga with the resolve to live under His will (īśvara-prāṇidhāna).