Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 42
अनिरुद्धापहरणानन्तरं कृष्णस्य शोणितपुरगमनम् तथा रुद्रकृष्णयुद्धारम्भः | After Aniruddha’s Abduction: Kṛṣṇa Marches to Śoṇitapura and the Rudra–Kṛṣṇa Battle Begins
अथ विज्ञापयामास नतो भूत्वा कृतांजलिः । श्रीकृष्णः शंकरं भक्त्या प्रपन्नो भक्तवत्सलम्
atha vijñāpayāmāsa nato bhūtvā kṛtāṃjaliḥ | śrīkṛṣṇaḥ śaṃkaraṃ bhaktyā prapanno bhaktavatsalam
Kemudian Śrī Kṛṣṇa, setelah menunduk dan merapatkan kedua telapak tangan, mempersembahkan permohonannya kepada Śaṅkara; dengan bhakti ia berlindung pada-Nya, kerana Dia sentiasa mengasihi para bhakta.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Bhakti expressed through namaskāra and añjali is presented as the immediate means to access Śiva’s bhaktavātsalya (devotee-protecting grace), a core pilgrimage ethic.
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It highlights prapatti (surrender) and bhakti as direct means to receive Śiva’s grace—Śaṅkara is portrayed as Bhaktavatsala, responding to humility, reverence, and heartfelt refuge.
The verse models Saguna-upāsanā: approaching Śiva as a personal Lord who hears prayers. Bowing and añjali reflect the devotional attitude used in Liṅga worship—darśana, namaskāra, and supplication before the manifest form.
Practice namaskāra with kṛtāñjali before Śiva (Liṅga or image), then offer a simple prayer of surrender; mentally repeat the Panchākṣarī (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) while cultivating humility and reliance on Śiva’s protective grace.