Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 26
शिवस्तुतिवर्णनम् (Śiva-stuti-varṇanam) — “Description of Hymns in Praise of Śiva”
पाह्यनन्यगतीञ्शंभो सुरान्नो देववल्लभ । नष्टप्रायांस्त्रिपुरतो विनिहत्यासुरान्क्षणात्
pāhyananyagatīñśaṃbho surānno devavallabha | naṣṭaprāyāṃstripurato vinihatyāsurānkṣaṇāt
Ô Śambhu, refuge de ceux qui n’ont nul autre asile, ô Bien‑aimé des dieux, protège nos Devas. Après avoir terrassé les asuras en un instant, délivre‑nous de Tripura, car nous sommes presque anéantis.
The Devas (gods), praying to Lord Śiva
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Tripurāntaka
Sthala Purana: Tripura episode is pan-Purāṇic and not tied here to a specific jyotirliṅga; it functions as a mythic paradigm of Śiva’s instantaneous grace and protective intervention for the devas.
Significance: Invokes Śiva as ananya-śaraṇa (sole refuge). Pilgrimage/vrata is framed as surrender (śaraṇāgati) culminating in protection and liberation from ‘Tripura’ as bondage.
Mantra: pāhyananyagatīñśaṃbho surānno devavallabha
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It expresses śaraṇāgati (total surrender): when all other supports fail, the Devas take Śiva as the sole refuge (ananyagatī). In Shaiva Siddhānta, this highlights Pati (Śiva) as the compassionate Lord whose grace removes fear and restores cosmic order.
The prayer addresses Śiva in a personal, Saguna form—Śambhu and Devavallabha—showing devotional approach to the Lord who actively protects devotees. Linga-worship similarly treats the Linga as the accessible, worshipful presence of that same Śiva who grants protection and victory over inner and outer asuric forces.
Practice refuge-taking through japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with the bhāva of ananyagatī (no other shelter), and offer water/bilva to the Śiva-liṅga seeking protection from fear and obstacles—especially suitable for Mahāśivarātri observance.