Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 16
देवस्तुतिः—शिवस्य परब्रह्मत्वं, मायाशक्तिः, कर्मफलप्रदातृत्वं च
Devas’ Hymn: Śiva as Parabrahman, Māyā-Śakti, and Giver of Karmic Fruits
ब्राह्मणानां गवां चैव धर्मस्य प्रतिपालकः । शरण्योसि सदानंत्यः सर्वेषां प्राणिनां प्रभो
brāhmaṇānāṃ gavāṃ caiva dharmasya pratipālakaḥ | śaraṇyosi sadānaṃtyaḥ sarveṣāṃ prāṇināṃ prabho
اے پروردگار! آپ برہمنوں، گایوں اور خود دھرم کے محافظ ہیں۔ آپ ہمیشہ پناہ دینے والے—لامتناہی اور ابدی—تمام جانداروں کے مالک ہیں۔
Sati (addressing Lord Shiva)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Umāpati
Significance: Frames Śiva as universal refuge (śaraṇya) and dharma-protector; supports the Siddhānta emphasis that the Pati alone is the ultimate shelter for the paśu seeking release from pāśa.
Mantra: ब्राह्मणानां गवां चैव धर्मस्य प्रतिपालकः । शरण्योसि सदानंत्यः सर्वेषां प्राणिनां प्रभो
Type: stotra
Shakti Form: Satī
Role: nurturing
FAQs
The verse presents Shiva as Pati—the supreme Lord who upholds cosmic and moral order (dharma) and offers śaraṇa (refuge) to all beings, emphasizing surrender (bhakti) as a direct path to protection and liberation.
By praising Shiva’s active guardianship of dharma and beings, the verse supports Saguna worship—approaching Shiva as a compassionate protector. In Linga worship, this is expressed through seeking shelter in the ever-present Lord symbolized by the Linga.
A practical takeaway is śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) through japa of the Panchakshara—“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”—along with simple dharmic living; optionally, worship with bhasma (Tripuṇḍra) and Rudrākṣa as signs of Shaiva devotion.