Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 21
अन्धक-प्रश्नः — Inquiry into Andhaka
Genealogy and Nature
श्रीमहेश उवाच । निमील्य नेत्राणि कृतं च कर्म बिभेषि साऽस्माद्दयिते कथं त्वम् । गौरी हरात्तद्वचनं निशम्य विहस्यमाना प्रमुमोच नेत्रे
śrīmaheśa uvāca | nimīlya netrāṇi kṛtaṃ ca karma bibheṣi sā'smāddayite kathaṃ tvam | gaurī harāttadvacanaṃ niśamya vihasyamānā pramumoca netre
ಶ್ರೀಮಹೇಶನು ಹೇಳಿದರು—ಪ್ರಿಯೆ, ಕಣ್ಣುಗಳನ್ನು ಮುಚ್ಚಿ ಆ ಕರ್ಮವನ್ನು ಮಾಡಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ಈಗ ನನ್ನನ್ನು ಏಕೆ ಭಯಪಡುತ್ತೀಯ? ಹರನ ವಚನ ಕೇಳಿ ಗೌರೀ ನಗುತ್ತಾ ಕಣ್ಣುಗಳನ್ನು ತೆರೆದಳು।
Lord Shiva (Śrī Maheśa/Hara)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Shakti Form: Gaurī
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse highlights Shiva as the compassionate Lord who dissolves fear in the devotee; even when a deed leads to anxiety, turning to Hara reveals his protective, grace-filled nature and restores inner steadiness.
It supports Saguna Shiva-bhakti: the devotee relates to Shiva personally as Hara—one who responds, reassures, and grants refuge—mirroring how devotees approach the Śiva-liṅga as a living presence of protection and grace.
A practical takeaway is fear-removing japa of the Pañcākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—with steady breath and inward focus (eyes gently closed), followed by opening the eyes with remembrance that Shiva is the protector.