Shloka 36
जालन्धरस्य दूतप्रेषणम् — Jalandhara Sends an Envoy to Kailāsa
The Provocation of Śiva
एतस्माद्रक्ष देवेश शरणागतवत्सलः । न खादेत यथायं मां नमस्तेऽस्तु मुहुर्मुहुः
etasmādrakṣa deveśa śaraṇāgatavatsalaḥ | na khādeta yathāyaṃ māṃ namaste'stu muhurmuhuḥ
Therefore, O Lord of the gods, tender guardian of those who seek refuge, protect me so that this one may not devour me. Again and again, I bow to You.
A frightened supplicant (a śaraṇāgata devotee) addressing Lord Shiva in the battle narrative (as recounted by Sūta Gosvāmī).
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Mantra: नमस्तेऽस्तु मुहुर्मुहुः
Type: stotra
Role: nurturing
FAQs
It teaches śaraṇāgati—placing oneself under Shiva’s guardianship as Pati (the Lord), trusting His grace to remove fear and protect the bound soul (paśu) from harm and bondage.
The prayer addresses Shiva as Deveśa and śaraṇāgatavatsala—Saguna Shiva who compassionately responds to devotees. In Linga-worship, this same attitude is expressed by offering namaskāra and seeking refuge at the Linga as the accessible form of the Supreme.
Repeated namaskāra and refuge-prayer: bowing with humility and mentally repeating Shiva’s name/mantra (commonly “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) as an act of surrender, especially during fear, obstacles, or conflict.