Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 13
दिव्यरथारोहणम् — Śiva’s Ascent on the Divine Chariot
Pre-battle Portents
अथाह भगवान्रुद्रो देवानालोक्य शंकरः । पशूनामाधिपत्यं मे धद्ध्वं हन्मि ततोऽसुरान्
athāha bhagavānrudro devānālokya śaṃkaraḥ | paśūnāmādhipatyaṃ me dhaddhvaṃ hanmi tato'surān
Bấy giờ Bhagavān Rudra—Śaṅkara—nhìn các chư thiên rồi phán: “Hãy trao cho Ta quyền chủ tể đối với mọi hữu tình (paśu, các linh hồn bị trói buộc); rồi Ta sẽ giáng đòn diệt các asura.”
Lord Shiva (Rudra/Śaṅkara)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Role: teaching
Cosmic Event: Assertion of Paśupati-aiśvarya: Śiva demands acknowledged lordship over paśus prior to destroying asuric forces.
FAQs
It highlights Śiva as Pati—the supreme Lord of all paśus (bound souls). His destruction of asuras symbolizes removing the forces of bondage and ignorance so beings may return toward grace and liberation.
Rudra’s declaration shows Saguna Śiva acting as protector and ruler of beings. In Liṅga-worship, devotees surrender their limited agency to Śiva as Pati, seeking his governance (ādhipatya) to overcome inner and outer asuric obstacles.
The takeaway is śaraṇāgati (surrender) to Śiva as Pati—practically expressed through japa of the Pañcākṣarī “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” along with Śiva-pūjā using bhasma (tripuṇḍra) and rudrākṣa as aids to steadiness and devotion.