Shiva Purana — Rudra Samhita, Shloka 10
कार्त्तिकेयान्वेषण-नन्दिसंवाद-वर्णनम्
Search for Kārttikeya and the Nandī Dialogue
सभयं नापतत्क्षिप्रं स चेद्दंडं न चार्हति । शक्तौ राजा न शास्ता यः प्रजाबाध्यश्च भक्षकः
sabhayaṃ nāpatatkṣipraṃ sa ceddaṃḍaṃ na cārhati | śaktau rājā na śāstā yaḥ prajābādhyaśca bhakṣakaḥ
إن كان المرء، وإن خاف، لا يسارع إلى طلب الحماية، فلا يستحق عقوبةَ الملك. أمّا الملكُ الذي مُنِح السلطان ثم لا يكفّ الشرّ، فإنه يصير هو نفسه مُلتَهِمًا—ظالمًا يضرّ رعيّتَه.
Suta Goswami
Tattva Level: pasha
FAQs
The verse frames dharma as protective order: those who refuse rightful refuge cannot blame divine or royal justice, while rulers who neglect restraint misuse Shiva-given power and become agents of adharma—binding themselves and society in pasha (bondage).
In Shaiva thought, Saguna Shiva upholds cosmic order; honoring the Linga is also honoring Shiva as the inner ruler who sustains dharma. A king must mirror that divine governance—protecting, correcting, and never exploiting the praja.
Practice self-restraint and truthful conduct as a daily vrata; accompany it with japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) to purify intention so power is used for protection rather than harm.