Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 51
शिवस्य आश्वासनं हरि-ब्रह्मणोः तथा शङ्खचूडवृत्तान्तकथनम् / Śiva’s Reassurance to Hari and Brahmā; Account of Śaṅkhacūḍa’s Origin
दीनोद्धर कृपासिन्धो देवानुद्धर संकटात् । शक्रं भयान्महेशानहत्वा तं दानवाधिपम्
dīnoddhara kṛpāsindho devānuddhara saṃkaṭāt | śakraṃ bhayānmaheśānahatvā taṃ dānavādhipam
اے مہیشان، اے دکھیوں کے اُدھارک، اے بحرِ کرم! اس خطرے سے دیوتاؤں کو بچا لیجیے۔ اس دانَووں کے سردار کو قتل کر کے شکر (اِندر) کو خوف سے آزاد کیجیے۔
The Devas (led by Indra) praying to Lord Shiva (Maheśāna), as narrated by Sūta to the sages
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahādeva
Significance: Invokes Śiva as dīnoddhāra and kṛpāsindhu—pilgrimage/śaraṇāgati to Śiva is framed as deliverance from saṅkaṭa (existential and worldly peril).
Mantra: दीनोद्धर कृपासिन्धो देवानुद्धर संकटात् । शक्रं भयान्महेशान हत्वा तं दानवाधिपम्
Type: stotra
Role: liberating
FAQs
It portrays Śiva as Pati—compassionate Lord of all—who removes saṅkaṭa (existential and worldly distress) when beings surrender. Fear is treated as a form of bondage (pāśa) that is cut by divine grace.
The prayer addresses Śiva directly as Maheśāna, emphasizing Saguna devotion—calling upon the Lord’s merciful, protective agency. In Linga-worship, the same attitude of śaraṇāgati (taking refuge) is expressed through abhiṣeka, mantra, and praise to invoke Śiva’s grace.
A practical takeaway is saṅkaṭa-nāśana japa—repeating the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya” with surrender, along with simple Linga-abhisheka (water) and Tripuṇḍra/bhasma remembrance as symbols of Śiva’s protection and dispassion.