Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 49
दक्षयज्ञ-प्रसङ्गे देवतानां आश्वासनं तथा दण्डविधानम् | Consolation of the Devas and the Ordinance of Consequences in the Dakṣa-Yajña Episode
ब्रह्मोवाच । देवदेव महादेव करुणासागर प्रभो । स्वतंत्रः परमात्मा त्वं परमेशो द्वयोव्ययः
brahmovāca | devadeva mahādeva karuṇāsāgara prabho | svataṃtraḥ paramātmā tvaṃ parameśo dvayovyayaḥ
Brahmā said: O God of gods, O Mahādeva, O Lord who is an ocean of compassion—You are truly independent; You are the Supreme Self. You are the highest Lord, and though appearing as the two (transcendent and immanent), You remain imperishable.
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Mantra: देवदेव महादेव करुणासागर प्रभो । स्वतंत्रः परमात्मा त्वं परमेशो द्वयोऽव्ययः
Type: stotra
FAQs
The verse establishes Śiva as Svatantra (absolutely sovereign) and Paramātmā (the Supreme Self), highlighting that liberation depends on the grace of the compassionate Pati who is untouched by change.
By praising Śiva as both compassionate Lord and imperishable reality, it supports Saguna worship (such as Śiva-liṅga pūjā) as a direct approach to the same Supreme—whose essence remains beyond all decay even while manifesting for devotees.
A practical takeaway is daily Śiva-stuti with japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” contemplating Śiva as the independent, compassionate Parameśvara who transcends yet pervades all.