Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 16
कुमाराद्भुतचरितवर्णनम् — Description of Kumāra’s Wondrous Deeds
हे सर्वेश्वर भक्तवत्सल कृपासिन्धो त्वदीयोऽस्म्यहं भृत्यस्स्वस्य न सेवकस्य गणपस्याऽऽ गश्शतं सत्प्रभो । भक्तिं क्वापि कृतां मनागपि विभो जानासि भृत्यार्तिहा । त्वत्तो नास्त्यपरोऽविता न भगवन् मत्तो नरः पामरः
he sarveśvara bhaktavatsala kṛpāsindho tvadīyo'smyahaṃ bhṛtyassvasya na sevakasya gaṇapasyā'' gaśśataṃ satprabho | bhaktiṃ kvāpi kṛtāṃ manāgapi vibho jānāsi bhṛtyārtihā | tvatto nāstyaparo'vitā na bhagavan matto naraḥ pāmaraḥ
Ô Seigneur de tout, tendre envers les dévots, océan de compassion ! Je suis à Toi seul—serviteur dépendant, non domestique à gages. Ô noble Seigneur, quand bien même le chef de Tes gaṇas aurait commis des centaines de fautes, Toi, Puissant qui dissipes la détresse des serviteurs, Tu connais même la plus infime bhakti accomplie où que ce soit. Hors de Toi, nul autre protecteur, ô Bhagavān ; et nul homme n’est plus déchu et indigne que moi.
Ganesha
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Mantra: हे सर्वेश्वर भक्तवत्सल कृपासिन्धो त्वदीयोऽस्म्यहं भृत्यस्स्वस्य न सेवकस्य गणपस्याऽऽ गश्शतं सत्प्रभो । भक्तिं क्वापि कृतां मनागपि विभो जानासि भृत्यार्तिहा । त्वत्तो नास्त्यपरोऽविता न भगवन् मत्तो नरः पामरः
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
Offering: dhupa
FAQs
The verse teaches śaraṇāgati (complete surrender): Shiva, the Pati (supreme Lord), recognizes even the smallest act of devotion and alone can remove the devotee’s suffering and impurity; humility and reliance on Shiva’s grace are central.
It emphasizes Saguna Shiva as the compassionate, personal Protector who responds to bhakti. Linga-worship is thus framed not as mere ritual, but as heartfelt surrender to Shiva’s accessible form that grants protection and liberation.
Practice daily Shiva-bhakti with humility—offer water and bilva to the Linga, chant the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and mentally confess faults while taking refuge in Shiva as the sole protector.