Shiva Purana — Kotirudra Samhita, Shloka 9
ज्योतिर्लिङ्गमाहात्म्य-प्रस्तावना तथा सोमनाथ-प्रसङ्गः
Prologue to the Glory and Origin of the Jyotirliṅgas; Somnātha Episode Begins
अन्याश्च दुःखमापन्नाः पितरं शरणं ययुः । गत्वा तस्मै च यद्दुःखं तथा ताभिर्निवेदितम्
anyāśca duḥkhamāpannāḥ pitaraṃ śaraṇaṃ yayuḥ | gatvā tasmai ca yadduḥkhaṃ tathā tābhirniveditam
其余诸女为忧苦所迫，前往父亲处求庇护；及至近前，便如实禀告她们所遭受的痛楚与委屈。
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Sthala Purana: Not a Jyotirliṅga account; it narrates the afflicted wives seeking refuge in their father—an archetype of the bound soul seeking a protector, later mirrored by seeking Śiva as ultimate refuge.
FAQs
It highlights śaraṇāgati—turning to a rightful protector in times of duḥkha. In Shaiva understanding, this mirrors the devotee’s movement from helplessness toward surrender, which ultimately culminates in taking refuge in Pati (Lord Shiva), the supreme guardian beyond worldly supports.
Though the verse is narrative, its mood is devotional: seeking refuge and truthfully presenting one’s suffering. In Jyotirlinga-centered Kotirudra contexts, such surrender is fulfilled through approaching Saguna Shiva—worshiping the Linga as the accessible form of the compassionate Lord who removes affliction and restores dharma.
A practical takeaway is to combine honest self-offering with prayer: mentally place one’s distress at Shiva’s feet and repeat the Panchakshara mantra “Om Namaḥ Śivāya,” optionally while wearing rudrākṣa and applying tripuṇḍra (bhasma) as signs of refuge and devotion.