Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 41
दीक्षितपुत्रस्य दैन्यचिन्ता तथा शिवरात्र्युपासनाप्रसङ्गः / The Initiate’s Son in Distress and the Occasion of Śivarātri Worship
ब्रह्मोवाच । इत्याकर्ण्य वचस्तेषां यमदूता मुनीश्वर । यथागतं ययुस्सर्वे यमलोकं पराङ्मुखाः
brahmovāca | ityākarṇya vacasteṣāṃ yamadūtā munīśvara | yathāgataṃ yayussarve yamalokaṃ parāṅmukhāḥ
พระพรหมตรัสว่า “โอ้เจ้าแห่งมุนี ครั้นได้ฟังถ้อยคำของพวกเขาแล้ว ทูตแห่งยมทั้งหมดก็หันหลังกลับ และเดินทางกลับไปยังยมโลกตามทางเดิมที่มา”
Brahma
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Sthala Purana: Narrative confirmation: after hearing the Śiva-aligned command, Yamadūtas retreat to Yamaloka—signifying the devotee’s release from punitive claim.
Significance: Strengthens faith that Śiva’s devotees are protected at the time of death; encourages śaraṇāgati and liṅga-bhakti as a safeguard against fear of Yama.
FAQs
It shows that when higher dharma and the spiritual authority aligned with Shiva’s grace is recognized, forces of punishment withdraw—symbolizing release from fear and the loosening of pāśa (bondage) through right understanding and devotion.
In the Rudra-saṃhitā narrative flow, Yama’s agents retreat upon hearing decisive spiritual instruction, reflecting the Shiva Purana theme that refuge in Saguna Shiva (often through Linga-worship and bhakti) transforms one’s destiny and protects the devotee.
A practical takeaway is steady japa of the Pañcākṣarī mantra (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a dharmic life; this is traditionally supported by Tripuṇḍra (bhasma) and Rudrākṣa as aids to remembrance and inner fearlessness.