Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 26
मृत्युञ्जय-विद्या-प्रादुर्भावः
The Manifestation/Transmission of the Mṛtyuñjaya Vidyā
त्वं पावने पथि सदागतिरप्युपास्यः कस्त्वां विना भुवनजीवन जीवतीह । स्तब्धप्रभंजनविवर्द्धि तसर्वजंतोः संतोषिता हि कुलसर्वगः वै नमस्ते
tvaṃ pāvane pathi sadāgatirapyupāsyaḥ kastvāṃ vinā bhuvanajīvana jīvatīha | stabdhaprabhaṃjanavivarddhi tasarvajaṃtoḥ saṃtoṣitā hi kulasarvagaḥ vai namaste
清めの道において、あなたは常に現前する帰依処、つねに礼拝に値する御方。あなたなくして—おお諸世界の生命よ—誰がここに真に生き得ようか。あなたは風を鎮め、しかも万有のためにその力を増し給う。あなたはあらゆる家系と共同体を遍く支える根本の拠り所。まことにあなたに敬礼する。
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shiva Purana dialogue; verse functions as a hymn of praise to Lord Shiva within the Yuddhakhaṇḍa context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Frames Śiva as the universal refuge (gati) and life-support (jīvana) for all beings; encourages reliance on Śiva as the sustaining Lord on the purifying path.
Type: stotra
FAQs
The verse presents Shiva as the indispensable life-support of the cosmos and the ever-available refuge on the purifying spiritual path; in Shaiva Siddhanta terms, it highlights Pati (Shiva) as the sustaining Lord without whom the pashu (bound soul) cannot truly live or progress toward liberation.
Calling Shiva “upāsyaḥ” (ever worthy of worship) supports Saguna upāsanā—devotional worship through accessible forms like the Śiva-liṅga—while affirming His all-pervasion (sarvagaḥ), showing that the form points to the formless Lord who sustains all beings.
A practical takeaway is daily Shiva-upāsanā with salutations (namas te)—such as japa of “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” and meditation on prāṇa (the ‘wind’/life-force) as governed by Shiva—paired with purity disciplines (pavana patha) like vibhūti (tripuṇḍra) and inner restraint.