Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 17
सत्रप्रवृत्तिः — वायोः आगमनं च
Commencement of the Satra and the Arrival of Vāyu
सोप्यस्माननुगृह्याह शरण्यश्शरणागतान् । सर्वस्मादधिको रुद्रो विप्राः परमकारणम्
sopyasmānanugṛhyāha śaraṇyaśśaraṇāgatān | sarvasmādadhiko rudro viprāḥ paramakāraṇam
Then he too, showing grace to us who had sought refuge, spoke thus: “O brāhmaṇas, Rudra is higher than all; he is the Supreme Cause.”
Suta Goswami (narrating to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Type: stotra
Role: teaching
FAQs
It establishes Rudra (Śiva) as the Paramakāraṇa—the ultimate causal reality (Pati) who, out of grace, protects and uplifts those who surrender, pointing the seeker toward liberation through divine anugraha (grace).
Calling Rudra the Supreme Cause supports Saguna worship—such as Śiva-liṅga pūjā—as a valid means to approach the transcendent Lord; the liṅga becomes the accessible focus through which the refuge-giving Śiva bestows grace.
The takeaway is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) expressed through daily Śiva worship—japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” along with simple liṅga-abhisheka and remembrance of Śiva as Śaraṇya (protector).