Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 18
शङ्खचूडस्य मायायुद्धं तथा माहेश्वरास्त्रप्रभावः | Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Māyā-Warfare and the Power of the Māheśvara Astra
ओमित्युवाच राजेन्द्रः प्रसन्नवदनेक्षणः । कवचार्थी जनश्चाहमित्युवाचेति सच्छलात्
omityuvāca rājendraḥ prasannavadanekṣaṇaḥ | kavacārthī janaścāhamityuvāceti sacchalāt
Le visage serein et le regard doux, le roi répondit : « Om ». Puis, sous un prétexte habile, il ajouta : « Moi aussi je suis un suppliant — je suis venu chercher le kavaca, l’armure de protection ».
The king (Rājendra) within Sūta’s narration
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Īśāna
Mantra: ॐ (Om)
FAQs
The verse shows how a seeker approaches sacred power: beginning with “Om” (reverent assent) and then requesting kavaca—symbolizing the soul’s need for Shiva’s grace as true protection against fear, karma, and inner turmoil.
Requesting a kavaca reflects Saguna Shiva worship where the devotee seeks the Lord’s tangible safeguarding presence. In Shaiva Siddhanta, such protection ultimately points beyond external safety to inner purification and steadiness before the Linga as the living sign of Pati (Shiva).
Begin worship with “Om” and a composed mind, then pray for Shiva’s protective grace—optionally supported by kavaca-recitation, japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and wearing Rudrākṣa or applying Tripuṇḍra as reminders of divine shelter and discipline.