Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 44
देवपराजयः — शङ्करशरणागमनं स्कन्दकालीयुद्धं च | Devas’ Defeat, Refuge in Śaṅkara, and the Battle of Skanda and Kālī
वीरास्तामनुजग्मुश्च ते च नन्दीश्वरादयः । सर्वे देवाश्च गंधर्वा यक्षा रक्षांसि पन्नगाः
vīrāstāmanujagmuśca te ca nandīśvarādayaḥ | sarve devāśca gaṃdharvā yakṣā rakṣāṃsi pannagāḥ
เหล่าวีรานุจรทั้งหลายติดตามนางไป; ทั้งนันทีศวรและผู้อื่น ๆ ด้วย และเหล่าเทพทั้งปวงก็ร่วมตามมา พร้อมด้วยคนธรรพ์ ยักษ์ รากษส และพวกพรรณคะ (เผ่านาค)
Sūta Gosvāmin (narrating to the sages at Naimiṣāraṇya)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
FAQs
It shows Śiva’s lordship (Pati) as the power that draws diverse classes of beings—divine, semi-divine, and fearsome—into one ordered movement, indicating that all are ultimately governed and harmonized under Śiva’s will.
The verse highlights Saguna Śiva’s living retinue—Nandīśvara and the gaṇas—through whom the Lord’s protection and command operate in the world; Linga-worship reveres that same Lord as the accessible form who gathers and directs all beings.
A practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) expressed through japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” mentally aligning oneself with Nandīśvara’s exemplary devotion and disciplined service to Śiva.