Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 42
गजासुरतपः–देवलोकक्षोभः
Gajāsura’s Austerities and the Disturbance of the Worlds
इत्येवं चेष्टितं तस्य दानवस्य निवेदितम् । रक्षस्व भक्तान्देवेश काशीरक्षणतत्पर
ityevaṃ ceṣṭitaṃ tasya dānavasya niveditam | rakṣasva bhaktāndeveśa kāśīrakṣaṇatatpara
ดังนี้พฤติกรรมของอสูรนั้นได้ถูกรายงานครบถ้วนแล้ว ข้าแต่เทวะผู้เป็นใหญ่ โปรดคุ้มครองเหล่าภักตะของพระองค์—พระองค์ผู้มุ่งมั่นพิทักษ์กาศีอยู่เสมอ.
A devotee/guardian of Kāśī (addressing Lord Shiva as Deveśa in the Yuddhakhaṇḍa narrative, as relayed by Sūta Gosvāmin)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Viśvanātha
Jyotirlinga: Viśvanātha
Sthala Purana: Kāśī is proclaimed Śiva’s own city (Avimukta-kṣetra), where he remains as Viśveśvara/Viśvanātha; the Lord’s guardianship is invoked when adharma threatens the kṣetra and its devotees.
Significance: Darśana of Viśvanātha in Kāśī is held to grant liberation-oriented merit; remembrance of Śiva in Kāśī is famed for bestowing fearlessness and spiritual uplift, especially for devotees seeking protection and grace.
Mantra: rakṣasva bhaktān deveśa kāśīrakṣaṇatatpara
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Annapūrṇā
Role: nurturing
Offering: pushpa
Cosmic Event: Kṣetra-protection motif: Kāśī as an enduring sacred center safeguarded across cycles by Śiva’s grace (anugraha)
FAQs
The verse expresses śaraṇāgati (taking refuge): devotees place the demon’s wrongdoing before Shiva and seek His grace, affirming Shiva as Pati—the sovereign protector who removes fear and safeguards His bhaktas.
It addresses Shiva personally as “Deveśa,” emphasizing Saguna Shiva—the compassionate Lord who responds to prayer. In Linga-worship, the same Shiva is approached as the ever-present guardian of Kāśī and the devotees who surrender to Him.
A practical takeaway is bhakti-prārthanā (devotional supplication) with japa of the Panchākṣarī—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—offering one’s fear and circumstances to Shiva and requesting protection for oneself and other devotees.