तारकपीडितदेवशरणागतिḥ — The Devas Seek Refuge from Tāraka
अग्निर्यमोथ वरुणो निरृतिर्वायुरेव च । अन्ये दिक्पतयश्चापि सर्वे यद्वशगामिनः
agniryamotha varuṇo nirṛtirvāyureva ca | anye dikpatayaścāpi sarve yadvaśagāminaḥ
Agni, Yama, Varuṇa, Nirṛti e Vāyu —e também os outros guardiões das direções— todos se movem sob o seu domínio, governados pela sua vontade.
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating the Shiva Purana account to the sages, in the flow of Rudra Saṃhitā)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Īśāna
It teaches Shiva’s supreme lordship (Pati): even powerful cosmic regulators like Agni, Yama, and the Dikpālas function only by His sanction, guiding the seeker toward surrender and trust in Shiva’s governance of karma and order.
In Linga-worship, Shiva is honored as the unifying axis of all directions and powers; this verse supports Saguna devotion by affirming that the devas and directional guardians are subordinate to Shiva, the ultimate refuge embodied in the Linga.
Meditate on Shiva as the inner ruler of all directions while chanting the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” offering water and bilva to the Linga with the resolve to live under His will (īśvara-prāṇidhāna).