Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 10
शुक्रनिग्रहः — The Seizure/Neutralization of Śukra (Kāvya) and the Daityas’ Despondency
धिगस्मान् कुलपूज्यो यैरेकोपि कुलसत्तमः । गुरुस्सर्वसमर्थश्च त्राता त्रातो न चापदि
dhigasmān kulapūjyo yairekopi kulasattamaḥ | gurussarvasamarthaśca trātā trāto na cāpadi
Shame upon us—though in our lineage there is even one most excellent and venerable elder, a Guru who is wholly capable and a true protector, still we have not been protected in this time of calamity.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Yuddhakhaṇḍa dialogue; the lament is voiced by a distressed party within the battle narrative)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
FAQs
It highlights the collapse of worldly reliance: even an honoured, capable family-elder or guru may not avert destiny in crisis, urging the seeker to place ultimate refuge in Pati—Lord Shiva, the true protector beyond circumstance.
In Shaiva practice, the Liṅga embodies Shiva as the ever-present refuge; when human supports fail, devotion to Saguna Shiva through Liṅga-pūjā becomes the concrete means of surrender and steadiness amid adversity.
Take refuge through japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—and, if following Purāṇic discipline, accompany it with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as reminders of Shiva-protection and inner detachment.