Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 21
देवाः वैकुण्ठगमनम् तथा विष्णोः अवतारस्तुतिः | Devas Go to Vaikuṇṭha and Praise Viṣṇu’s Avatāras
विचरंति यथा मर्त्याश्शोभंते नैव ते सुराः । शरणं ते वयं प्राप्ता वधस्तस्य विचिंत्यताम्
vicaraṃti yathā martyāśśobhaṃte naiva te surāḥ | śaraṇaṃ te vayaṃ prāptā vadhastasya viciṃtyatām
जसे मर्त्य फिरतात तसेच देवही आता शोभत नाहीत। आम्ही तुमच्या शरण आलो आहोत—कृपा करून त्याचा वध ठरवावा।
The Devas (gods), petitioning Lord Shiva as the supreme refuge (Pati)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It presents Shiva as the ultimate Śaraṇa (refuge) and Pati (Lord): when power and “splendor” fail, true protection comes through surrender to Shiva, who restores dharma by removing the cause of bondage and fear.
The devas approach Shiva in a personal, responsive way—Saguna Shiva who hears prayers and acts for cosmic order. In Shiva tradition, this same refuge is ritually approached through Linga-worship, where devotees seek protection, purification, and right resolution.
The takeaway is śaraṇāgati (surrender): approach Shiva with humility and prayer, supported by japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” and (where traditional) Tripuṇḍra-bhasma and Rudrākṣa as reminders of Shiva’s guardianship and inner steadiness.