Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 14
कुमाराद्भुतचरितवर्णनम् — Description of Kumāra’s Wondrous Deeds
करोति किं तस्य बली विपक्षो दक्षोऽपि पक्षोभयापार्श्वगुप्तः । किन्तक्षकोप्यामिषभक्षको वा त्वं रक्षको यस्य सदक्षमानः
karoti kiṃ tasya balī vipakṣo dakṣo'pi pakṣobhayāpārśvaguptaḥ | kintakṣakopyāmiṣabhakṣako vā tvaṃ rakṣako yasya sadakṣamānaḥ
Que peut un ennemi puissant contre celui qui est protégé—fût-il fort, habile et gardé sur ses deux flancs ? Que pourrait même accomplir Takṣaka, ou quelque serpent mangeur de chair, lorsque tu es le protecteur de celui qu’on tient toujours pour apte et digne ?
Suta Goswami (narrating the Kumara-khanda episode to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse emphasizes Shaiva refuge: when one is guarded by the higher power (Pati)—ultimately Lord Shiva’s grace—external threats lose their power, and fear is dissolved through surrender and steadfast dharma.
In Saguna worship, the devotee approaches Shiva as the living Protector and Lord. Linga-puja embodies this reliance: by offering worship with faith, one seeks anugraha (grace) that shields the devotee and removes obstacles.
A practical takeaway is protective japa and devotion—especially the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—combined with simple Shaiva observances like Tripundra (bhasma) and mindful remembrance of Shiva as the inner guardian.