Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 31
देवस्तुतिः—शिवस्य परब्रह्मत्वं, मायाशक्तिः, कर्मफलप्रदातृत्वं च
Devas’ Hymn: Śiva as Parabrahman, Māyā-Śakti, and Giver of Karmic Fruits
दूरेवधाय ते देवा ग्रेवधाय नमोनमः । धन्विने शूलिने तुभ्यं गदिने हलिने नमः
dūrevadhāya te devā grevadhāya namonamaḥ | dhanvine śūline tubhyaṃ gadine haline namaḥ
ഹേ ദേവാ! ദൂരത്തിൽ നിന്ന് വധിക്കുന്നവനേ, സമീപത്തിൽ നിന്ന് വധിക്കുന്നവനേ—നിനക്കു വീണ്ടും വീണ്ടും നമസ്കാരം. ധനുസ്സധാരീ, ശൂലധാരീ; ഗദാധാരീ, ഹലധാരീ—നിനക്കു നമഃ.
Suta Goswami (narrating the hymn of salutations within the Sati Khanda context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Mantra: दूरेवधाय ते देवा ग्रेवधाय नमोनमः । धन्विने शूलिने तुभ्यं गदिने हलिने नमः
Type: rudram
FAQs
This verse is a surrender-filled salutation to Rudra as the all-capable protector and destroyer of evil—near or far—affirming that Pati (Shiva) alone has the power to remove the soul’s fears and karmic bonds when approached with devotion (bhakti) and reverence (namah).
Though the verse describes Shiva with attributes and weapons (Saguna Rudra), the same Lord is worshipped as the Linga—aniconic and supreme—where devotees offer namah (self-surrender). The weapons signify His active grace: protecting dharma and cutting bondage, which Linga-worship inwardly contemplates.
A practical takeaway is repeated japa of salutations—especially with the Panchakshara spirit of surrender (“namah”)—along with simple Shiva upasana such as offering water to the Linga, wearing rudraksha with purity of conduct, and applying tripundra (bhasma) while praying for protection and inner restraint.