Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 38
शिवस्य सैन्यप्रयाणम् तथा गणपतिनामावलिः (Śiva’s Mobilization for War and the Catalogue of Gaṇa Commanders)
नृत्यंती च हसंती च गायंती सुस्वरं मुदा । अभयं ददती स्वेभ्यो भयं चारिभ्य एव सा
nṛtyaṃtī ca hasaṃtī ca gāyaṃtī susvaraṃ mudā | abhayaṃ dadatī svebhyo bhayaṃ cāribhya eva sā
Dansant, riant et chantant d’une voix suave dans la joie, elle accordait l’abhaya—l’absence de crainte—aux siens; mais aux ennemis, elle ne donnait que la terreur.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Kali
Role: liberating
FAQs
The verse highlights the Shaiva principle that divine grace (anugraha) manifests as abhaya—inner fearlessness—for the devoted, while the same divine power becomes a force of restraint and awe for adharmic opponents.
It reflects Saguna worship where Shiva’s Shakti actively protects bhaktas: devotion to Shiva (often through Linga-upasana) is understood to draw the protective, fear-dispelling presence of Shiva–Shakti into one’s life.
Cultivate abhaya through bhakti-based japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) with a steady mind; if following Shiva Purana practice, accompany it with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrāksha as supports for remembrance and protection.