Shloka 24
द्विजेश्वरावतारः
The Manifestation of Shiva as Dvijeśvara
तत्सर्वं विफलं जातं यच्चान्यत्त्वयि तिष्ठति । यस्त्वं वनौकसां घातं न निवारयितुं क्षमः
tatsarvaṃ viphalaṃ jātaṃ yaccānyattvayi tiṣṭhati | yastvaṃ vanaukasāṃ ghātaṃ na nivārayituṃ kṣamaḥ
All that has become fruitless—indeed, whatever else abides in you—since you are not capable of preventing the slaughter of the forest-dwellers. Authority without the power to protect becomes empty.
Suta Goswami (narrating the dialogue within the Shatarudrasaṃhitā)
Tattva Level: pashu
Shiva Form: Paśupatinātha
Role: teaching
FAQs
The verse teaches that power, merit, or status becomes spiritually barren when it fails in its dharmic purpose—protecting beings from unjust harm. In a Shaiva Siddhanta lens, true capacity is measured by alignment with Shiva’s order (dharma), not by mere possession of authority.
Worship of the Linga and Saguna Shiva is not only ritual; it is meant to transform conduct. Devotion that does not express itself as protection, restraint of cruelty, and compassion is considered incomplete—thus the verse critiques empty power and, by extension, empty religiosity.
A practical takeaway is to pair japa of the Panchakshara (“Om Namaḥ Śivāya”) with a sankalpa of ahiṃsā and protection of the vulnerable; applying Tripuṇḍra or wearing Rudrākṣa should be accompanied by restraint, responsibility, and service.