Shloka 12
व्योमवाणी-श्रवणं, गणानां शरणागमनं, सती-दाह-वृत्तान्तः — Hearing the Heavenly Voice; The Gaṇas Seek Refuge; Account of Satī’s Self-Immolation
ते वयं शरणं प्राप्तास्तव विश्वंभर प्रभो । निर्भयान् कुरु नस्तस्माद्दयमानभवाद्भयात्
te vayaṃ śaraṇaṃ prāptāstava viśvaṃbhara prabho | nirbhayān kuru nastasmāddayamānabhavādbhayāt
O Lord, Sustainer of the universe! We have come to You for refuge. Therefore, out of compassion, make us fearless—protect us from the fear that arises from the merciless one.
Devotees/supplicants addressing Lord Shiva (as Viśvambhara)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) in Śiva as Viśvambhara is portrayed as the direct means to fearlessness—classically read in Siddhānta as pati’s anugraha loosening pāśa and calming karmic fear.
Mantra: ते वयं शरणं प्राप्तास्तव विश्वंभर प्रभो । निर्भयान् कुरु नस्तस्माद्दयमानभवाद्भयात्
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
The verse expresses śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) in Shiva as Viśvambhara, teaching that fear is dissolved when the soul turns to Pati (the Lord) for protection and grace.
Addressing Shiva as the compassionate Lord highlights Saguna upāsanā—approaching Shiva with form and attributes (protector, world-sustainer). In Linga worship, the devotee similarly seeks abhaya and anugraha (grace) through surrender.
A practical takeaway is to pray for abhaya while repeating the Panchākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”), offering bilva leaves or water to the Shiva-linga, and meditating on Shiva as the refuge who removes भय (fear).