Shiva Purana — Vayaviya Samhita, Shloka 17
रुद्राविर्भावकारणम् — Causes and Pattern of Rudra’s Manifestation
Pratikalpa
नमस्ते देवदेवेश मास्राक्षीरीदृशीः प्रजाः । अन्याः सृज त्वं भद्रं ते प्रजा मृत्युसमन्विताः
namaste devadeveśa māsrākṣīrīdṛśīḥ prajāḥ | anyāḥ sṛja tvaṃ bhadraṃ te prajā mṛtyusamanvitāḥ
हे देवदेवेश, आपणांस नमस्कार. अशी प्रजा निर्माण करू नका. आपण इतर प्रजा सृजा—आपले कल्याण असो—ज्या मृत्युसहित, म्हणजे नश्वर असतील।
Brahma
Tattva Level: pasha
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Mantra: नमस्ते देवदेवेश
Type: stotra
Cosmic Event: institution of mortal creation (mṛtyu-samanvita prajā) as a condition for embodied worlds
FAQs
It highlights that embodied creation is meant to be mortal and karma-bound, so that souls (paśu) mature through experience and can ultimately seek liberation (moksha) by turning toward Pati, Lord Shiva.
By emphasizing mortality, the verse points seekers toward a stable refuge beyond death—Saguna Shiva worship (including Linga-upasana) as a compassionate, accessible focus for devotion that leads the soul toward the transcendent Lord.
Meditate on death (mṛtyu-smaraṇa) to weaken attachment, and pair it with Shiva-bhakti—japa of the Panchakshara (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and reverent Linga worship—seeking freedom from bondage.