Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 34
गजासुरतपः–देवलोकक्षोभः
Gajāsura’s Austerities and the Disturbance of the Worlds
देवा ऊचुः । देवदेव महादेव तव पुर्यां गतोसुरः । कष्टं दत्ते त्वज्जनानां तं जहि त्वं कृपानिधे
devā ūcuḥ | devadeva mahādeva tava puryāṃ gatosuraḥ | kaṣṭaṃ datte tvajjanānāṃ taṃ jahi tvaṃ kṛpānidhe
诸天说道：“诸神之神、摩诃提婆啊！有一阿修罗闯入您的城中，正使您的子民遭受深重苦难。慈悲之宝藏啊，愿您诛灭他。”
The Devas (gods)
Tattva Level: pati
Shiva Form: Mahadeva
Significance: Frames Śiva as the compassionate Pati who protects His devotees (śaraṇāgati), a core pilgrimage motivation: seeking rakṣā and anugraha.
Mantra: देवदेव महादेव ... तं जहि त्वं कृपानिधे
Type: stotra
FAQs
It presents Śiva as Pati—the compassionate Lord who protects His devotees when they are afflicted by asuric forces (adharma, violence, and ego). The Devas model śaraṇāgati (surrender), seeking refuge in Mahādeva rather than relying on their own power.
The plea is directed to Saguna Śiva—Mahādeva as the accessible protector who acts in the world. In Linga-worship, devotees similarly approach Śiva as kṛpānidhi, trusting that the Lord who is worshipped in the Linga also governs and safeguards the sacred realm and the bhaktas.
A practical takeaway is to perform heartfelt prayer with japa of the Pañcākṣarī (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) and offer water/bilva to the Śiva-liṅga, cultivating surrender and invoking Śiva’s protective grace in times of distress.