Shloka 16
देवस्तुतिः—शिवस्य परब्रह्मत्वं, मायाशक्तिः, कर्मफलप्रदातृत्वं च
Devas’ Hymn: Śiva as Parabrahman, Māyā-Śakti, and Giver of Karmic Fruits
ब्राह्मणानां गवां चैव धर्मस्य प्रतिपालकः । शरण्योसि सदानंत्यः सर्वेषां प्राणिनां प्रभो
brāhmaṇānāṃ gavāṃ caiva dharmasya pratipālakaḥ | śaraṇyosi sadānaṃtyaḥ sarveṣāṃ prāṇināṃ prabho
ब्राह्मणानां गवां चैव धर्मस्य प्रतिपालकः । शरण्योऽसि सदानन्त्यः सर्वेषां प्राणिनां प्रभो ॥
Sati (addressing Lord Shiva)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Significance: Frames Śiva as universal refuge (śaraṇya) and dharma-protector; supports the Siddhānta emphasis that the Pati alone is the ultimate shelter for the paśu seeking release from pāśa.
Mantra: ब्राह्मणानां गवां चैव धर्मस्य प्रतिपालकः । शरण्योसि सदानंत्यः सर्वेषां प्राणिनां प्रभो
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse presents Shiva as Pati—the supreme Lord who upholds cosmic and moral order (dharma) and offers śaraṇa (refuge) to all beings, emphasizing surrender (bhakti) as a direct path to protection and liberation.
By praising Shiva’s active guardianship of dharma and beings, the verse supports Saguna worship—approaching Shiva as a compassionate protector. In Linga worship, this is expressed through seeking shelter in the ever-present Lord symbolized by the Linga.
A practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) through japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—along with simple dharmic living; optionally, worship with bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa as signs of Shaiva devotion.