Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 29
अनिरुद्धापहरणानन्तरं कृष्णस्य शोणितपुरगमनम् तथा रुद्रकृष्णयुद्धारम्भः | After Aniruddha’s Abduction: Kṛṣṇa Marches to Śoṇitapura and the Rudra–Kṛṣṇa Battle Begins
वैष्णवोऽथ समाक्रदन्माहेश्वरबलार्दितः । अलब्ध्वा भयमन्यत्र तुष्टाव वृषभध्वजम्
vaiṣṇavo'tha samākradanmāheśvarabalārditaḥ | alabdhvā bhayamanyatra tuṣṭāva vṛṣabhadhvajam
Kemudian pengikut Viṣṇu itu, dihentam hebat oleh kekuatan bala Śiva, pun menjerit. Tidak menemukan perlindungan daripada ketakutan di tempat lain, dia mula memuji Vṛṣabhadhvaja—Śiva, Tuhan yang panjinya bergambar lembu.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It highlights śaraṇāgati (surrender): when worldly supports fail and fear dominates, the soul finds true refuge in Pati—Lord Śiva—whose grace alone dispels bondage and grants protection.
By praising “Vṛṣabhadhvaja,” the verse points to Saguna Śiva—approached through names, forms, and hymns. Such stuti naturally culminates in Linga-upāsanā, where the devotee seeks Śiva’s presence as the compassionate Lord who removes fear.
A practical takeaway is stotra-japa and nāma-smaraṇa of Śiva in moments of fear—especially with the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”)—as an act of inner refuge and devotion.