Shloka 21
यक्षेश्वरावतारः (Yakṣeśvara-Avatāra) and the Nīlakaṇṭha Paradigm in the Churning of the Ocean
देवा ऊचुः । अभूदत्र महान्देव रणः परमदारुणः । असुरा नाशितास्सर्वेऽवशिष्टा विद्रुता गताः
devā ūcuḥ | abhūdatra mahāndeva raṇaḥ paramadāruṇaḥ | asurā nāśitāssarve'vaśiṣṭā vidrutā gatāḥ
देवा ऊचुः—हे महादेव, अत्र परमदारुणो महान् रणः अभूत्; असुराः सर्वे नाशिताः, अवशिष्टाः भीताः विद्रुत्य गताः।
The Devas (gods)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Rudra
FAQs
It shows Shiva as Pati—the supreme Lord who restores dharma: when adharma (asuric forces) rises, His manifest (saguṇa) power subdues it, protecting the cosmic order and guiding beings toward peace and liberation.
The devas directly address Shiva as the Great God active in the world; this supports saguṇa-upāsanā—devotional worship of Shiva (often through the Śiva-liṅga) as the living protector and refuge who answers prayers and removes fear.
A practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) through japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” accompanied by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and calm remembrance of Shiva as the inner protector during turmoil.