Chapter 10
अध्यायः 10
Śatarudra Saṃhitā, Chapter 10
Shlokas (41)
+ Add ShlokaShatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 1
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 1
नंदीश्वर उवाच ॥ विध्वंसी दक्षयज्ञस्य वीरभद्राह्वयः प्रभो ॥ अवतारश्च विज्ञेयः शिवस्य परमात्मनः ॥ १॥
naMdIzvara uvAca ॥ vidhvaMsI dakSayajJasya vIrabhadrAhvayaH prabho ॥ avatArazca vijJeyaH zivasya paramAtmanaH ॥ 1॥
Nandīśvara said. The destroyer of Dakṣa’s sacrifice Vīrabhadra shall be known as an incarnation of lord Śiva, the great soul.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 2
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 2
सतीचरित्रे कथितं चरितं तस्य कृत्स्नशः ॥ श्रुतं त्वयापि बहुधा नातः प्रोक्तं सुविस्तरात्॥ २॥
satIcaritre kathitaM caritaM tasya kRtsnazaH ॥ zrutaM tvayApi bahudhA nAtaH proktaM suvistarAt॥ 2॥
His narrative has been mentioned in the episode of Satī. You too have heard it several times. Hence it is not mentioned in detail.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 3
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 3
अतः परं मुनिश्रेष्ठ भवत्स्नेहाद्ब्रवीमि तत्॥ शार्दूलाख्यावतारं च शङ्करस्य प्रभोः शृणु॥ ३॥
ataH paraM munizreSTha bhavatsnehAdbravImi tat॥ zArdUlAkhyAvatAraM ca zaGkarasya prabhoH zRNu॥ 3॥
O excellent sage, now by my affection to you I shall narrate the Śārdūla incarnation of lord Śiva, Listen.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 4
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 4
सदाशिवेन देवानां हितार्थं रूपमद्भुतम्॥ शारभं च धृतन्दिव्यं ज्वलज्ज्वालासमप्रभम् ॥ ४॥
sadAzivena devAnAM hitArthaM rUpamadbhutam॥ zArabhaM ca dhRtandivyaM jvalajjvAlAsamaprabham ॥ 4॥
For the benefit of the gods, the wonderfully divine form of a Śarabha (the mythological animal with eight legs and capacity of killing lions) of blazing fire-like lustre was assumed by lord Śiva.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 5
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 5
शिवावतारा अमिता सद्भक्तहितकारकाः ॥ सङ्ख्या न शक्यते कर्तुं तेषां च मुनिसत्तमाः ॥ ५॥
zivAvatArA amitA sadbhaktahitakArakAH ॥ saGkhyA na zakyate kartuM teSAM ca munisattamAH ॥ 5॥
O excellent sages, Śiva’s incarnations are countless and conducive to the benefit of good devotees. Their number cannot be counted or specified.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 6
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 6
आकाशस्य च ताराणां रेणुकानां क्षितेस्तथा ॥ आसाराणां च वृद्धेन बहुकल्पैः कदापि हि ॥ ६॥
AkAzasya ca tArANAM reNukAnAM kSitestathA ॥ AsArANAM ca vRddhena bahukalpaiH kadApi hi ॥ 6॥
The stars of the sky and the dust of the earth And by the old man of the Asaras, by many ages, sometimes.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 7
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 7
सङ्ख्या विशक्यते कर्तुं सुप्राज्ञैर्बहुजन्मभिः ॥ शिवावताराणां नैव सत्यं जानीहि मद्वचः ॥ ७॥
saGkhyA vizakyate kartuM suprAjJairbahujanmabhiH ॥ zivAvatArANAM naiva satyaM jAnIhi madvacaH ॥ 7॥
It is possible to count them in many births by the wise Know that my words are not true of the incarnations of Lord Śiva.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 8
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 8
तथापि च यथाबुद्ध्या कथयामि कथाश्रुतम्॥ चरित्रं शारभं दिव्यं परमैश्वर्य्यसूचकम् ॥ ८ ॥
tathApi ca yathAbuddhyA kathayAmi kathAzrutam॥ caritraM zArabhaM divyaM paramaizvaryyasUcakam ॥ 8 ॥
Still in accordance with my intelligence I shall mention, exactly as I had heard, the divine story of the Śarabha! portending great prosperity.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 9
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 9
जयश्च विजयश्चैव भवद्भिः शापितौ यदा ॥ तदा दितिसुतौ द्वौ तावभूतां कश्यपान्मुने ॥ ९ ॥
jayazca vijayazcaiva bhavadbhiH zApitau yadA ॥ tadA ditisutau dvau tAvabhUtAM kazyapAnmune ॥ 9 ॥
O sage, when Jaya and Vijaya were cursed by you, they became the sons of Diti and Kaśyapa.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 10
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 10
हिरण्यकशिपुश्चाद्यो हिरण्याक्षोऽनुजो बली ॥ देवर्षिपार्षदौ जातौ तौ द्वावपि दितेस्सुतौ ॥ १० ॥
hiraNyakazipuzcAdyo hiraNyAkSo'nujo balI ॥ devarSipArSadau jAtau tau dvAvapi ditessutau ॥ 10 ॥
Those, two attendants; the celestial sages were born as Diti’s sons. The elder was Hiraṇyakaśipu and the younger was Hiraṇyākṣa the very powerful.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 11
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 11
पृथ्व्युद्धारे विधात्रा व प्रार्थितो हि पुरा प्रभुः ॥ हिरण्याक्षं जघानासौ विष्णुर्वाराहरूपधृक् ॥ ११॥
pRthvyuddhAre vidhAtrA va prArthito hi purA prabhuH ॥ hiraNyAkSaM jaghAnAsau viSNurvArAharUpadhRk ॥ 11॥
Formerly lord Viṣṇu was requested by Brahmā to uplift the Earth. He assumed the form of a boar and slew Hiraṇyākṣa.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 12
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 12
तं श्रुत्वा भ्रातरं वीरं निहतं प्राणसन्निभम् ॥ चुकोप हरयेऽतीव हिरण्यकशिपुर्मुने ॥ १२ ॥
taM zrutvA bhrAtaraM vIraM nihataM prANasannibham ॥ cukopa haraye'tIva hiraNyakazipurmune ॥ 12 ॥
O sage, on hearing that his heroic brother, as dear to him as his very vital breath, was killed, Hiraṇyakaśipu became furious with Viṣṇu.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 13
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 13
वर्षाणामयुतं तप्त्वा ब्रह्मणो वरमाप सः ॥ न कश्चिन्मारयेन्मां वै त्वत्सृष्टाविति तुष्टतः ॥ १३ ॥
varSANAmayutaM taptvA brahmaNo varamApa saH ॥ na kazcinmArayenmAM vai tvatsRSTAviti tuSTataH ॥ 13 ॥
He performed penance for ten thousand years and propitiated Brahmā from whom he obtained the desired boon. “None of your creations shall kill me.”
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 14
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 14
शोणिताख्यपुरं गत्वा देवानाहूय सर्वतः ॥ त्रिलोकीं स्ववशे कृत्वा चक्रे राज्यमकण्टकम् ॥ १४ ॥
zoNitAkhyapuraM gatvA devAnAhUya sarvataH ॥ trilokIM svavaze kRtvA cakre rAjyamakaNTakam ॥ 14 ॥
He left for Śoṇita. He challenged the gods everywhere. He put the three worlds in his control and had an unrivalled rule over it.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 15
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 15
देवर्षिकदनं चक्रे सर्वधर्म विलोपकः ॥ द्विजपीडाकरः पापी हिरण्यकशिपुर्मुने ॥ १५ ॥
devarSikadanaM cakre sarvadharma vilopakaH ॥ dvijapIDAkaraH pApI hiraNyakazipurmune ॥ 15 ॥
O sage. Hiraṇyakaśipu harassed the gods and the sages. He violated all virtuous rites. He oppressed brahmins and became a sinner.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 16
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 16
प्रह्लादेन स्वपुत्रेण हरिभक्तेन दैत्यराट् ॥ यदा विद्वेषमकरोद्धरिर्वैरं विशेषतः ॥ १६ ॥
prahlAdena svaputreNa haribhaktena daityarAT ॥ yadA vidveSamakaroddharirvairaM vizeSataH ॥ 16 ॥
When the king of the Daityas hated his own son Prahlāda, Viṣṇu became his particular enemy.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 17
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 17
सभास्तम्भात्तदा विष्णुरभूदाविर्द्रुतम्मुने ॥ सन्ध्यायां क्रोधमापन्नो नृसिंहवपुषा ततः ॥ १७ ॥
sabhAstambhAttadA viSNurabhUdAvirdrutammune ॥ sandhyAyAM krodhamApanno nRsiMhavapuSA tataH ॥ 17 ॥
O sage, Viṣṇu then came out from a pillar in the hall, at dusk in the body of a man-lion (Nṛsiṃha), with great fury.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 18
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 18
सर्वथा मुनिशार्दूल करालं नृहरेर्व्वपुः ॥ प्रजज्वालातिभयदं त्रासयन्दैत्यसत्तमान् ॥ १८ ॥
sarvathA munizArdUla karAlaM nRharervvapuH ॥ prajajvAlAtibhayadaM trAsayandaityasattamAn ॥ 18 ॥
O great sage, the body of the man-lion was very terrible in every respect. It blazed frighteningly and terrified the leading Daityas.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 19
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 19
नृसिंहेन तदा दैत्या निहताश्चैव तत्क्षणम् ॥ हिरण्यकशिपुश्चाथ युद्धञ्चक्रे सुदारुणम् ॥ १९ ॥
nRsiMhena tadA daityA nihatAzcaiva tatkSaNam ॥ hiraNyakazipuzcAtha yuddhaJcakre sudAruNam ॥ 19 ॥
The Daityas were killed in a trice by the man-lion. Hiraṇyakaśipu fought a terrible battle.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 20
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 20
महायुद्धं तयोरासीन्मुहूर्त्तम्मुनिसत्तमाः ॥ विकरालं च भयदं सर्वेषां रोमहर्षणम् ॥ २० ॥
mahAyuddhaM tayorAsInmuhUrttammunisattamAH ॥ vikarAlaM ca bhayadaM sarveSAM romaharSaNam ॥ 20 ॥
O excellent sages, a great fight ensued between them for some time. It was terrifying, frightening and caused horripilation to every one.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 21
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 21
सायं चकर्ष देवेशो देहल्यां दैत्यपुङ्गवम् ॥ व्योम्नि देवेषु पश्यत्सु नृसिंहश्च रमेश्वरः ॥ २१ ॥
sAyaM cakarSa devezo dehalyAM daityapuGgavam ॥ vyomni deveSu pazyatsu nRsiMhazca ramezvaraH ॥ 21 ॥
The lord of gods, lord oí Lakṣmī, the man-lion dragged the leading Daitya to the threshold even as the gods were watching in the sky.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 22
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 22
अथोत्संगे च तं कृत्वा नखैस्तदुदरन्द्रुतम् ॥ विदार्य मारयामास पश्यतां त्रिदिवौकसाम् ॥ २२ ॥
athotsaMge ca taM kRtvA nakhaistadudarandrutam ॥ vidArya mArayAmAsa pazyatAM tridivaukasAm ॥ 22 ॥
While the gods were watching he placed the daitya on his lap and immediately tore open his stomach with his claws and killed him.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 23
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 23
हते हिरण्यकशिपौ नृसिंहे नैव विष्णुना॥ जगत्स्वास्थ्यन्तदा लेभे न वै देवाविशेषतः ॥ २३॥
hate hiraNyakazipau nRsiMhe naiva viSNunA॥ jagatsvAsthyantadA lebhe na vai devAvizeSataH ॥ 23॥
When Hiraṇyakaśipu was killed by the man-lion Viṣṇu, the whole universe attained normalcy and peace. But the gods did not derive any special comfort.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 24
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 24
देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुः प्रह्लादो विस्मयं गतः॥ लक्ष्मीश्च विस्मयं प्राप्ता रूपं दृष्ट्वाऽद्भुतं हरेः ॥ २४॥
devadundubhayo neduH prahlAdo vismayaM gataH॥ lakSmIzca vismayaM prAptA rUpaM dRSTvA'dbhutaM hareH ॥ 24॥
The celestial drums were sounded. On seeing the wonderful form of Viṣṇu, Prahlāda was surprised, Lakṣmī was in a state of suspense.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 25
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 25
हतो यद्यपि दैत्येन्द्रस्तथापि न पुरं सुखम् ॥ ययुर्देवा नृसिंहस्य ज्वाला सा न निवर्तिता ॥ २५ ॥
hato yadyapi daityendrastathApi na puraM sukham ॥ yayurdevA nRsiMhasya jvAlA sA na nivartitA ॥ 25 ॥
Though the lord of daityas was killed, yet the gods did not derive any pleasure. The fiery fury of the man-lion (Nṛsiṃha) did not subside.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 26
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 26
तया च व्याकुलं जातं सर्वं चैव जगत्पुनः ॥ देवाश्च दुःखमापन्नाः किम्भविष्यति वा पुनः ॥ २६॥
tayA ca vyAkulaM jAtaM sarvaM caiva jagatpunaH ॥ devAzca duHkhamApannAH kimbhaviSyati vA punaH ॥ 26॥
The whole world was again agitated by her The gods were in distress, and what would happen again?
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 27
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 27
इत्येवं च वदन्तस्ते भयादूदूरमुपस्थि ताः ॥ नृसिंहक्रोधजज्वालाव्याकुलाः पद्मभूमुखाः ॥ २७ ॥
ityevaM ca vadantaste bhayAdUdUramupasthi tAH ॥ nRsiMhakrodhajajvAlAvyAkulAH padmabhUmukhAH ॥ 27 ॥
Speaking thus they stood at a distance out of fear They were agitated by the flames of the anger of Nrishimha and their faces were like lotus flowers
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 28
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 28
प्रह्रादं प्रेषयामासुस्तच्छान्त्यै निकटं हरेः ॥ सर्वान्मिलित्वा प्रह्लादः प्रार्थितो गतवांस्तदा ॥ २८॥
prahrAdaM preSayAmAsustacchAntyai nikaTaM hareH ॥ sarvAnmilitvA prahlAdaH prArthito gatavAMstadA ॥ 28॥
They sent Prahlāda near Viṣṇu in order to subside his anger. At the behest of all in a body Prahlāda approached the man-lion.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 29
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 29
उरसाऽऽलिंगयामास तं नृसिंहः कृपानिधिः ॥ हृदयं शीतलं जातं रुड्ज्वाला न निवर्त्तिता ॥ २९ ॥
urasA''liMgayAmAsa taM nRsiMhaH kRpAnidhiH ॥ hRdayaM zItalaM jAtaM ruDjvAlA na nivarttitA ॥ 29 ॥
The man-lion, the store-house of mercy, embraced him. The heart became cod, still the flame of fury did not subside.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 30
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 30
तथापि न निवृता रुड्ज्वाला नरहरेर्यदा ॥ इष्टं प्राप्तास्ततो देवाश्शंकर शरणं ययुः ॥ ३० ॥
tathApi na nivRtA ruDjvAlA narahareryadA ॥ iSTaM prAptAstato devAzzaMkara zaraNaM yayuH ॥ 30 ॥
When it did not subside, the afflicted and miserable gods sought refuge in Śiva.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 31
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 31
तत्र गत्वा सुरास्सर्वे ब्रह्माद्या मुनय स्तथा ॥ शंकरं स्तवयामासुर्लोकानां सुखहेतवे ॥ ३१ ॥
tatra gatvA surAssarve brahmAdyA munaya stathA ॥ zaMkaraM stavayAmAsurlokAnAM sukhahetave ॥ 31 ॥
Going there, Brahmā, other gods and the sages eulogised Śiva for the happiness of all the worlds.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 32
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 32
देवा ऊचुः ॥ देवदेव महादेव शरणागतवत्सल ॥ पाहि नः शरणापन्ना न्सर्वान्देवाञ्जगन्ति च ॥ ३२ ॥
devA UcuH ॥ devadeva mahAdeva zaraNAgatavatsala ॥ pAhi naH zaraNApannA nsarvAndevAJjaganti ca ॥ 32 ॥
The gods said:— O great lord of gods, favourably disposed cowards those who seek refuge, save us the gods who have sought refuge in you as well as all the worlds.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 33
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 33
नमस्तेऽस्तु नमस्तेऽस्तु नमस्तेऽस्तु सदाशिव ॥ पूर्वं दुःखं यदा जातं तदा ते रक्षिता वयम् ॥ ३३॥
namaste'stu namaste'stu namaste'stu sadAziva ॥ pUrvaM duHkhaM yadA jAtaM tadA te rakSitA vayam ॥ 33॥
Obeisance be to you, O Sadāśiva. Whenever there had been misery formerly, it was you that saved us.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 34
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 34
समुद्रो मथितश्चैव रत्नानां च विभागशः ॥ कृते देवैस्तदा शंभो गृहीतं गरलन्त्वया ॥ ३४ ॥
samudro mathitazcaiva ratnAnAM ca vibhAgazaH ॥ kRte devaistadA zaMbho gRhItaM garalantvayA ॥ 34 ॥
The ocean was churned and the gems were shared by the gods. Then O Śiva, poison was taken by you.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 35
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 35
रक्षिताः स्म तदा नाथ नीलकण्ठ इति श्रुतः ॥ विषं पास्यसि नो चेत्त्वं भस्मीभूतास्तदाखिलाः ॥ ३५ ॥
rakSitAH sma tadA nAtha nIlakaNTha iti zrutaH ॥ viSaM pAsyasi no cettvaM bhasmIbhUtAstadAkhilAH ॥ 35 ॥
We were saved by you, O lord and you became famous as Nīlakaṇṭha (Blue-necked). If you had not drunk the poison then, every thing would have been reduced to ashes.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 36
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 36
प्रसिद्धं च यदा यस्य दुःखं च जायते प्रभो ॥ तदा त्वन्नाममात्रेण सर्वदुःखं विलीयते ॥ ३६ ॥
prasiddhaM ca yadA yasya duHkhaM ca jAyate prabho ॥ tadA tvannAmamAtreNa sarvaduHkhaM vilIyate ॥ 36 ॥
This is well known, O lord, that whenever a person is in misery, by repeating your very name the misery is quelled.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 37
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 37
इदानीं नृहरिज्वालापीडितान्नस्सदाशिव ॥ तां त्वं शमयितुं देव शक्तोऽसीति सुनिश्चितम् ॥ ३७ ॥
idAnIM nRharijvAlApIDitAnnassadAziva ॥ tAM tvaM zamayituM deva zakto'sIti sunizcitam ॥ 37 ॥
O Sadāśiva, we are now afflicted by the fiery fury of the man-lion (Nṛsiṃha); O lord, it is certain that you are competent to quell it.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 38
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 38
नन्दीश्वर उवाच ॥ इति स्तुतस्तदा देवैश्शंकरो भक्तवत्सलः ॥ प्रत्युवाच प्रसन्नात्माऽभयन्दत्त्वा परप्रभुः ॥ ३८ ॥
nandIzvara uvAca ॥ iti stutastadA devaizzaMkaro bhaktavatsalaH ॥ pratyuvAca prasannAtmA'bhayandattvA paraprabhuH ॥ 38 ॥
Nandīśvara said:— Thus eulogised by the gods, lord Śiva, favourably disposed to the devotees, assured them of protection and spoke delightedly.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 39
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 39
शंकर उवाच ॥ स्वस्थानं गच्छत सुरास्सर्व्वे ब्रह्मादयोऽभयाः ॥ शमयिष्यामि यद्दुःखं सर्वथा हि व्रतम्मम ॥ ३९ ॥
zaMkara uvAca ॥ svasthAnaM gacchata surAssarvve brahmAdayo'bhayAH ॥ zamayiSyAmi yadduHkhaM sarvathA hi vratammama ॥ 39 ॥
Śiva said:—O ye Brahmā and other gods, Return to your abodes fearlessly. My rite quells misery in every respect:
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 40
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 40
गतो मच्छरणं यस्तु तस्य दुःखं क्षयं गतम् ॥ मत्प्रियः शरणापन्नः प्राणेभ्योऽपि न संशयः ॥ ४०॥
gato maccharaNaM yastu tasya duHkhaM kSayaM gatam ॥ matpriyaH zaraNApannaH prANebhyo'pi na saMzayaH ॥ 40॥
The misery of the person who seeks refuge in me vanishes. Undoubtedly the seeker of refuge is dearer to me than life.
Shatarudra-samhita - Chapter 10 - Verse 41
Shiva Purana (siva.sh) · Chapter 10 · Verse 41
नन्दीश्वर उवाच॥ इति श्रुत्वा तदा देवा ह्यानन्दम्परमं गताः ॥ यथागतं तथा जग्मुस्स्मरन्तश्शंकरं मुदा ॥ ४१ ॥
nandIzvara uvAca॥ iti zrutvA tadA devA hyAnandamparamaM gatAH ॥ yathAgataM tathA jagmussmarantazzaMkaraM mudA ॥ 41 ॥
Nandīśvara said:— On hearing this, the gods were delighted much. Remembering Śiva joyously they returned.