Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 50
व्योमवाणी-श्रवणं, गणानां शरणागमनं, सती-दाह-वृत्तान्तः — Hearing the Heavenly Voice; The Gaṇas Seek Refuge; Account of Satī’s Self-Immolation
तत्रास्तु विष्णुर्ब्रह्मा वा शचीशो वा यमोपि वा । अपि चाद्यैव तान्सर्वान्पातयस्व प्रयत्नतः
tatrāstu viṣṇurbrahmā vā śacīśo vā yamopi vā | api cādyaiva tānsarvānpātayasva prayatnataḥ
«Qu’il en soit ainsi là-bas—que ce soit Viṣṇu, ou Brahmā, ou Indra (seigneur de Śacī), ou même Yama. Dès aujourd’hui, par tous les moyens et avec un effort total, renverse-les tous.»
Lord Shiva (as Rudra, issuing a command within the Satī narrative)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
The verse asserts Rudra’s supreme governance (Pati-tattva) over all cosmic offices—creation (Brahmā), preservation (Viṣṇu), rulership (Indra), and retribution/death (Yama)—teaching that spiritual refuge ultimately lies in Shiva, not in any limited authority.
In Shaiva Siddhānta-oriented reading, Saguna Shiva (worshipped as the Linga and as Rudra) is the accessible Lord who subdues pride and restores dharma; Linga-worship trains the devotee in surrender to that highest Lord beyond the functions represented by other devas.
The practical takeaway is humility and śaraṇāgati (surrender): daily japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa can be adopted to internalize Shiva’s lordship and reduce egoic attachment to power.