Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 44
शङ्खचूडदूतागमनम् — The Arrival of Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Envoy
and Praise of Śiva
सर्वेश्वर्यास्सर्वमातुर्देवप्रार्थनया पुरा । आसीच्छुंभादिभिर्युद्धं वधस्तेषां तया कृतः
sarveśvaryāssarvamāturdevaprārthanayā purā | āsīcchuṃbhādibhiryuddhaṃ vadhasteṣāṃ tayā kṛtaḥ
Outrora, pela súplica dos deuses, o Poder Soberano de tudo—Mãe de todos—entrou em batalha contra Śumbha e seus seguidores; e ela mesma consumou a destruição deles.
Sūta Gosvāmi (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; the verse recalls the well-known Devī-māhātmya-style motif: devas, oppressed by asuras (Śumbha and allies), supplicate the Supreme Mother who manifests and destroys them.
Significance: Frames Devī as Śiva’s inseparable power who removes asuric bondage; supports śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) as a valid path to divine intervention.
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Durgā
Role: destructive
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches that when the devas (limited powers) are overwhelmed, salvation arises through humble supplication and the descent of the Supreme Mother’s grace—Divine Śakti acting to restore dharma.
In Shaiva thought, Śiva is Pati (the Supreme Lord) and Śakti is His inseparable power; this verse highlights Saguna divine compassion manifesting in history—just as devotees approach the Śiva-liṅga to invoke accessible, grace-filled protection and guidance.
The key takeaway is prayerful surrender (śaraṇāgati) with mantra-japa—especially pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—supported by simple Shaiva observances like applying tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and steady devotion during संकट (times of distress).