Shloka 32
एकादशरुद्रावतारकथनम् / Account of the Eleven Rudra Manifestations
Rudrāvatāras
तेषामनुचरा रुद्राः कोटिशः परिकीर्तिताः । सर्वत्र संस्थितास्तत्र त्रिलोकेष्वभिभागशः
teṣāmanucarā rudrāḥ koṭiśaḥ parikīrtitāḥ | sarvatra saṃsthitāstatra trilokeṣvabhibhāgaśaḥ
तेषामनुचराः रुद्राः कोटिशः परिकीर्तिताः। सर्वत्र संस्थितास्ते त्रिलोकेष्वभिभागशः॥
Suta Goswami (narrating the Shatarudra Samhita account to the sages of Naimisharanya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Rudra
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga episode; it describes Rudra-agents (anucarāḥ) distributed across the triloka, reflecting Śiva’s administrative cosmic order (niyati) through Rudra-śaktis.
Significance: Contemplation of Rudra’s omnipresent attendants supports the devotee’s sense of protection and moral order (dharma), encouraging vigilance against pāśa (bondage) and alignment with Śiva’s will.
Type: rudram
FAQs
It presents Śiva’s śakti of governance as innumerable Rudra-attendants pervading all realms, implying that divine protection, dissolution of impurities, and regulation of karma operate everywhere under Pati (Śiva).
The Liṅga signifies the one Śiva, while these many Rudras express His Saguna functioning—His manifested agencies that administer the worlds. Worship of the Liṅga is thus worship of the single source behind all these forms.
Rudra-japa—especially the Pañcākṣarī mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—with Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa supports remembrance of Śiva’s all-pervading guardianship across the three worlds.