Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 12
बाणासुरस्य शङ्करस्तुतिः तथा युद्धयाचनम् | Bāṇāsura’s Praise of Śiva and Petition for Battle
सनत्कुमार उवाच । तच्छ्रुत्वा कुपितो रुद्रस्त्वट्टहासं महाद्भुतम् । कृत्वाऽब्रवीन्महामन्युर्भक्तबाधाऽपहारकः
sanatkumāra uvāca | tacchrutvā kupito rudrastvaṭṭahāsaṃ mahādbhutam | kṛtvā'bravīnmahāmanyurbhaktabādhā'pahārakaḥ
सनत्कुमार बोले—यह सुनकर रुद्र क्रुद्ध हो उठे। उन्होंने अद्भुत, गम्भीर अट्टहास किया और फिर बोले—वे जिनका महान क्रोध भक्तों पर आई बाधाओं को हर लेता है।
Sanatkumara
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Bhairava
Role: liberating
FAQs
It portrays Rudra as the immediate protector of bhaktas: His divine “wrath” is not mere anger but a dharmic force that destroys the causes of devotees’ suffering and restores cosmic order.
The verse highlights Saguna Shiva—Rudra who acts, speaks, and intervenes in history. Linga-worship similarly approaches the transcendent Lord through a manifest form that grants protection and grace to devotees.
A practical takeaway is bhakti with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and remembrance of Shiva as “bhakta-bādhā-apahārakaḥ,” seeking removal of inner obstacles (fear, anger, bondage).