Shloka 33
अवंतीस्थ-ब्राह्मणकथा तथा तृतीय-ज्योतिर्लिङ्गोपाख्यान-प्रस्तावना
Avanti Brahmin Narrative and Prelude to the Third Jyotirliṅga
शिवो रक्षां करोत्वद्यासुराणां भयतः प्रभुः । नान्यथा शरणं लोके भक्तवत्सलतश्शिवात्
śivo rakṣāṃ karotvadyāsurāṇāṃ bhayataḥ prabhuḥ | nānyathā śaraṇaṃ loke bhaktavatsalataśśivāt
ขอพระศิวะผู้เป็นจอมเจ้า โปรดคุ้มครองท่านในวันนี้ให้พ้นจากความหวาดกลัวต่ออสูรทั้งหลาย ในโลกนี้ไม่มีที่พึ่งอื่นใด นอกจากพระศิวะผู้ทรงเมตตาต่อภักตะ
Suta Goswami (narrating Shiva’s protective refuge in the Kotirudra context)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Pashupatinatha
Significance: General śaraṇāgati teaching: taking refuge in Śiva removes fear (bhaya-nivṛtti) and grants protection (rakṣā) through grace.
Mantra: śivo rakṣāṃ karotvadyāsurāṇāṃ bhayataḥ prabhuḥ | nānyathā śaraṇaṃ loke bhaktavatsalataśśivāt
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
Offering: pushpa
FAQs
It teaches śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) in Pati—Lord Shiva—who, out of bhaktavatsalatā (devotee-loving grace), removes fear and grants protection; this aligns with Shaiva Siddhanta where liberation and safety arise through the Lord’s anugraha (grace).
The verse emphasizes Shiva as the accessible, grace-bestowing Lord (Saguna for the devotee). Linga worship becomes the concrete act of approaching this refuge—seeking protection, purification, and the Lord’s compassionate presence through archana, abhisheka, and remembrance.
A practical takeaway is daily refuge through japa of the Panchakshara mantra (Om Namaḥ Śivāya) and simple Linga worship—offering water with a prayer for protection—supported by wearing rudraksha or applying tripuṇḍra as reminders of surrender to Shiva.